Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: V9-06
Sources of Funding: none

Introduction

Gender confirmation surgery is an essential component in the management of gender identity disorder. However, short vaginal length, vaginal stenosis, or complications in the perineal dissection are significant limitations of current techniques in male to female surgery. Here we describe our technique for the robot assisted penile inversion vaginoplasty that addresses these needs.

Methods

The patient is prepped and draped in low lithotomy position. The penis is degloved through a circumcision incision. The neurovascular bundle, urethra and corpora cavernosa are dissected out. _x000D_ A six cm bulbar perineal incision is then made, and the dissection is carried to the bulbar urethra. The dissected urethra, neurovascular bundle, glans and corpora are delivered through this incision. The bilateral corpora are transected at their most proximal limit and overswen. The penile skin is inverted and gently retracted to allow a two cm incision above the neovagina for the neoclitoris. Immediately below this, an incision for the neomeatus is made. The urethra is brought through this incision and sutured to the skin. The remaining urethral tissue is used as an inlay onto the incised dorsal epithelial surface of the penile skin. _x000D_ The robotic portion of the surgery uses 4 port incisions: periumbiical Gelport with two pre-placed robotic trocars, right and left lateral ports, and an assistant port in the upper right abdomen. The dissection is from the posterior prostate, staying above Denonviller’s fascia to reach the endopelvic fascia. Under direct vision, the endopelvics are opened sharply from below and opened to a width of two fingerbreadths. The neovagina is passed into robotic field and pexed to the anterior reflection of the posterior peritoneum. The peritoneal reflection is then closed._x000D_ The neoclitoris is fashioned from the glans penis and approximated. Labia majora and minora are fashioned with local skin flaps. A foley catheter is left indwelling as well as a vaginal stent. _x000D_

Results

The index case required 7 hours of surgical time with an estimated blood loss of 100 mL. The vaginal length was greater than 15 cm. The patient was discharged home on post-operative day three, with no complications. The patient endorses sensation at the neoclitoris and anterior neovagina, and finds the vaginal depth satisfactory

Conclusions

Our novel method for robot assisted penile inversion vaginoplasty is an important step in optimizing outcomes for our patients. This technique achieves maximal vaginal length in a safe and reproducible manner.

Funding

none