Congenital uterovaginal aplasia commonly occurs in Mayer-Rokitansky-K€ uster-Hauser syndrome. Various methods of neovagina creation exist, including nonsurgical self-dilation, surgical dilation, and surgical procedures involving skin or intestinal transplants. Subsequent uterus transplantation is necessary to enable pregnancy. We review the main characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of established neovagina creation methods and discuss their suitability regarding subsequent uterus transplantation. Suitability criteria include sufficient vaginal length, absence of previous major intra-abdominal surgery, a natural vaginal axis, and a natural vaginal epithelium. In conclusion, Vecchietti-based laparoscopically assisted neovagina creation provides ideal functional conditions for uterus transplantation. Nonsurgical self-dilation and Wharton-Sheares-George vaginoplasty may also be suitable.
The Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser-syndrome (MRKHS) is characterized by a congenital uterine and vaginal aplasia. A large body of literature reports that a diagnosis of MRKHS has a variety of psychological effects on patients and doubts about female identity. The aim of the underlying study was to detect the patient-reported physical and mental health and sexual function before and after laparoscopically assisted creation of a neovagina. 160 women with MRKHS who underwent this type of surgery between September 2009 and December 2015 were invited to complete the questionnaires. Packages consisting of six questionnaires were handed out before surgery, six and 12 months after surgery. Data from 82 patients could be included in the study. Patients had a mean age of 19.9 years at inclusion in the study. We detected an impairment of the health-related mental quality of life. There was no higher risk for psychological disorders. MRKHS patients show similar self-acceptance and normal body image compared to the general population. The sexual function is limited before surgery and normalizes after surgery. Useful factors for coping with the disease are an interdisciplinary approach in diagnostics and treatment, psychosocial adaptation as well as a supportive social environment.
The risk of gonadal germ cell tumors is increased over the lifetime of patients with XY-disorders of sex development (XY-DSD). The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical features and histopathological outcome after gonadectomy in patients with XY-DSD to assess the risk of malignant transformation to gonadal germ cell tumors. Thirty-five women treated for XY-DSD at our hospital between 2003 and 2020 were enrolled in this study. Twenty-seven (77%) underwent prophylactic gonadectomy, 10 (29%) at our department and 17 (48%) at external hospitals. Eight (23%) patients didn´t receive gonadectomy. Of the patients who underwent a surgical procedure at our hospital, two patients were diagnosed with a unilateral seminoma, one patient with a bilateral and one patient with a unilateral Sertoli cell adenoma. According to these findings, preventive gonadectomy in patients with XY-DSD should be taken into consideration. Guidelines concerning the necessity of gonadectomy to avoid malignant transformation are still lacking. The risk of malignant germ cell tumors from rudimentary gonads has not been investigated sufficiently to date, as it is mostly based on case series due to the rarity of the condition. In our study we retrospectively analyzed patients who partly underwent bilateral gonadectomy, aiming to fill this gap. Concerning the ideal point of time for gonadectomy, further studies with a higher number of patients are needed.
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