[History of vaginal reconstruction]

Abstract

The paper presents the outline of the history of vaginal reconstruction since antiquity, mainly in vaginal agenesis. The review presents first concepts of vaginoplasty originating from Hippocrates and Celsus, a few attempts of vaginal reconstruction in 18th-19th centuries nad moderate advances in the USA in 19th century. A breakthrough in this field was related to introduction of split thickness skin graft for covering neovaginal channel by Abbe at the turn of 19th and 20th century. Subsequent evolution of surgical techniques was based on Abbe's concept and was directed to finding an ideal material accelerating the epitheliazation of vaginal channel. At the turn of 20 and 21st century medical technology development e.g. laparoscopy played its role in this field of surgery too. Tissue engineering and molecular biology will definitely play increasing role in vaginal reconstruction. Conservative and minimally invasive methods of vaginal creation were also briefly discussed. The considerable input of Polish scientist into the development of both experimental and clinical problems of vaginoplasty is presented.