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. 2022 Aug;11(8):1096-1104.
doi: 10.21037/tau-22-108.

Impact of the initial experience in the penile inversion vaginoplasty technique on satisfaction levels: a pilot retrospective cohort study

Pedro De Pablos-Rodríguez  1   2 , Josep Torremadé Barreda  1   3 , Begoña Etcheverry Giadrosich  1 , Silvia De La Torre González  4 , Meritxell Sampera Condeminas  4 , Oriol Bermejo Segú  4 , Maria Fiol Riera  1 , Albert Pi López  5 , Marc Barahona Orpinell  6 , Ana López Ojeda  4 , Francesc Vigués Julià  1
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Impact of the initial experience in the penile inversion vaginoplasty technique on satisfaction levels: a pilot retrospective cohort study

Pedro De Pablos-Rodríguez et al. Transl Androl Urol. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Background: There is a growing interest in reporting satisfaction levels of transgender women undergoing vaginoplasty surgery. The lack of information regarding satisfaction during the initial experience of the vaginoplasty technique, and the moderate morbidity related to the surgery, could discourage the immersion of new groups in initiating a program of this kind. Therefore, we aim to report patients' level of satisfaction during our initial experience in the penile inversion vaginoplasty technique.

Methods: Retrospective study of patients who underwent penile inversion vaginoplasty in our center between September 2019 and August 2021. Surgery technique, demographic data, preoperative clinical variables, and short and long-term follow-up are described. Six months after surgery, a survey elaborated by the research team was conducted by phone. The score goes from 1 to 5, and it evaluates satisfaction on esthetics, functional, psychosocial, and global aspects.

Results: Twenty patients underwent penile inversion vaginoplasty in our center during the described period. The average age was 35.6 years old, the mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.7 kg/m2, and they presented low comorbidity. Half of the patients presented at least one complication, most of which were minor. One patient was urgently reoperated due to bleeding, and three patients were reoperated on a scheduled basis from minor surgeries. 90% of the patients answered the questionnaire. The most common answers to all four areas covered (esthetics, functional, psychosocial, and global) were satisfied or very satisfied, resulting in a mean over four points in each one of the sections. Lastly, 94.4% of the patients reported being satisfied with their choice of having undergone surgery.

Conclusions: Our initial experience in penile inversion vaginoplasty reveals good satisfaction results at short follow up.

Keywords: Learning curve; initial experience; satisfaction; vaginoplasty.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://tau.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tau-22-108/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Design of the penile and perineal flaps and scrotal graft.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Initial surgical steps. (A) Skin is removed and bilateral orchiectomy performed, (B) section of the levator muscle, (C) proximal dissection of the penile urethra, (D) instillation of adrenaline prior to neoclitoris construction.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Reconstruction process and result. (A) Creation of the labia minora, (B) coagulation of hair follicles, (C) esthetic result before the dressing placement.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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