Gender-affirming Vaginectomy–Transperineal Approach

OBJECTIVE: Gender-affirming vaginectomy treats gender dysphoria associated with the presence of a vagina in transgender males.^1,2 Prior reported approaches include transperineal vaginectomy, mucosal fulguration, and robotic-assisted. We present key steps in transperineal gender-affirming vaginectomy in a 39-year-old transgender male. METHODS: Informed consent for video recording was obtained. The patient underwent a first-stage phalloplasty 6 months prior. He was placed in high lithotomy Tredelenberg position. After Foley placement, an incision was made along the mucocutaneous junction laterally and posteriorly. The anterior sulci were incised and a transverse incision made anteriorly at the bladder neck. The vaginal mucosa was excised, except for the distal anterior vaginal wall mucosa which would be mobilized as a flap for urethral lengthening later. The paravaginal space was closed with a series of purse-string sutures starting at the apex. The anterior vaginal wall flap is mobilized with the base of the flap at the urethral meatus. Cystoscopy confirms ureteral patency and no lower urinary tract involvement. A suprapubic tube was placed. The procedure then proceeded with a second-stage phalloplasty that included urethral lengthening and scrotoplasty. RESULTS: The demonstrated procedure took 110 minutes and estimated blood loss was 75 mL. In our published series of 40 vaginectomies for 27 phalloplasties and 13 metoidioplasties, median operative time was 135 minutes and median estimated blood loss was 250cc.³ No complications related to the vaginectomy, including mucocele, fistulae to the vaginal space, or visceral injuries occurred. Peritoneal entry occurred in 44% of the cases and was closed primarily without further sequelae. Two patients required blood transfusion and 1 patient had C. difficile colitis. The anterior vaginal wall mucosa flap was incorporated in 83% of the time. CONCLUSION: Transperineal vaginectomy results in low periprocedural complications, takes approximately 2 hours after a learning curve. Detailed results from our series of these procedures have been previously reported.³