Andrology. 2021;00:1–12. | 1 wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/andr
1 | INTRODUCTION
Studies estimate that approximately 25 million individuals world-
wide, including one million people in the United States, identify
as transgender.
1–4
In recent years, more widespread access to
surgery and improved insurance coverage have resulted in in-
creasing numbers of transgender individuals pursuing surgical
interventions.
5
In a 2019 study, 28% of transgender women re-
ported undergoing gender-affirming surgical procedures, with
5−13% of these surgeries involving genital surgery.
6
Of the trans-
gender women who had not undergone gender-affirming surgery,
45–54% of individuals reported that they hope to do so in the
future.
6
For many individuals, gender-affirming surgery helps to al-
leviate gender dysphoria and improve quality of life. Gender-
affirming surgery is generally safe, effective, and medically
necessary. Although complications can occur, many are self-
limited and are commensurate with complication rates of com-
plex genitourinary reconstruction performed for other diagnoses
(ie, oncological and congenital).
7–13
This article will provide a
thorough analysis of post-operative outcomes following penile
inversion vaginoplasty, including topics related to patient satis-
faction and adverse events.
2 | PENILE INVERSION VAGINOPLASTY
When reviewing the literature and assessing the data pertain-
ing to vaginoplasty, it is important to recognize that surgical
techniques vary between surgeons. In addition, terminology
used to describe procedures and/or complications and out-
comes also differs. Vaginoplasty typically involves penectomy,
orchiectomy, clitoroplasty, vulvoplasty, and the construction of
a vaginal canal. Most often, the surgical goals include a cosmeti-
cally appealing and sensate vulva and clitoris, and a vagina ca-
pable of receptive intercourse. Various surgical techniques are
used to create the vagina and its lining, with the most common
being a skin-lined neovagina. Other methods include pedicled
intestinal flaps, skin grafts from other anatomic sites (abdomen,
flanks, buttocks, etc.), and/or peritoneal tissue. The penile in-
version vaginoplasty is generally favored by most surgeons and
involves the use of penile skin flaps often in conjunction with
Received: 9 February 2021
|
Revised: 8 April 2021
|
Accepted: 1 May 2021
DOI: 10.1111/andr.13030
REVIEW ARTICLE
Penile inversion vaginoplasty outcomes: Complications and
satisfaction
Rayisa Hontscharuk | Brandon Alba | Alireza Hamidian Jahromi | Loren Schechter
© 2021 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology
Division of Plastic & Reconstructive
Surgery, Rush University Medical Center,
Chicago, IL, USA
Correspondence
Loren Schechter, Rush University Medical
Center, 1620 West Harrison Street,
Chicago, IL, USA.
Email: lss@univplastics.com
Abstract
Penile inversion vaginoplasty helps to alleviate gender dysphoria and improve qual-
ity of life in many transgender individuals. Overall, the procedure is associated with
high post-operative satisfaction, even when complications occur. Adverse events
related to vaginoplasty are commensurate with other genitourinary reconstructive
procedures performed for other diagnoses (ie, cancer or congenital issues). Here, we
explore the incidence of complications following vaginoplasty, emphasizing the chal-
lenges in defining and managing these adverse events. In addition, outcome measures
to assess patient satisfaction will be reviewed.
KEYWORDS
complication, satisfaction, surgical outcome, transgender, vaginoplasty