Rectal Injury during Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty: An Algorithmic Approach to Prevention and Management.

BACKGROUND

Penile inversion vaginoplasty (PIV) is a common procedure for transfeminine patients, with the goal of creating a functional vaginal canal and clitoris and a natural-appearing vulva. Creation of the neovagina requires opening of the prerectal space, most commonly from a perineal approach, and the reported rates of rectal perforation during this dissection range from 3% to 5%.

METHODS

Adult patients who underwent PIV at the authors' institution were identified retrospectively. Demographics, operative information, and postoperative clinical outcomes were extracted from the electronic medical record.

RESULTS

Ten of 146 patients (6.8%) experienced a rectal injury. All patients underwent an immediate repair (two-layer repair in eight patients, and three-layer repair in two), with two patients subsequently requiring temporary fecal diversion and two requiring muscle flaps (1.4% each). Literature review identified 18 relevant publications, with scarce in-depth analysis of management of initial rectal injuries.

CONCLUSION

The authors' algorithmic approach to rectal injury during PIV is designed to facilitate decision-making based on preoperative preparation, consistent intraoperative monitoring, feasibility of primary repair of the rectum, and a multidisciplinary approach to longitudinal postoperative care.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.