Balloon vaginoplasty as a minimally invasive method in the management of vaginal aplasia

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this article is to describe the management of vaginal aplasia and to introduce minimally invasive surgical procedures for neovagina formation. Methodology: Literature review obtained from studies and papers dealing with the management of congenital vaginal aplasia. Conclusion: Vaginal aplasia is a rare congenital anomaly, often in coincidence with congenital defects of the uropoietic system. Management nowadays favors non-surgical or minimally invasive surgical methods for neovagina formation. Saman et al introduced a new method of neovagina formation, namely balloon vaginoplasty. The advantage of the surgical procedure is traction using a soft Foley balloon, determining both the length and width of the neovagina. The method uses the expansion of the natural vaginal mucosa without the need for dissection of the vesicorectal space. The soft Foley balloon does not cause erosion of the vaginal mucosa. Key words: vaginal aplasia – Mayer-Rokitanský-Küster-Hauser syndrome – minimally invasive surgical method of neovagina formation – laparoscopically assisted balloon vaginoplasty – retropubic balloon vaginoplasty