OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect of laparoscopy-assisted Vechitti vaginoplasty and vaginoplasty with peritoneum.

METHODSFrom Jan. 2005 to Mar. 2011, 43 cases of congenital absence of vagina were treated by laparoscopy-assisted modified Vechitti vaginoplasty (n = 26) and by laparoscopy-assisted vaginoplasty with peritoneum (n = 17). The duration of operation, the intraoperative blood loss, and the length, appearance of reconstructed vagina were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAll the patients were successfully treated with no complication. The mould fell out in one case in Vechitti group one month after operation, which was put back after 3 days of expansion with a smaller mould. The perineum appearance was not affected. The reconstructed vagina in both groups were wide with pink mucosa, good elasticity and smoothness. The intercourse process was satisfied. The duration of operation and intraoperative blood loss were less in Vechitti group than those in peritoneum group, but the reconstructed vagina length was (7.8 +/- 0.4) cm in Vechitti group, and (8.8 +/- 0.6) cm in peritoneum group, showing a significant difference (t = 6.45, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCompared with Vechitti vaginoplasty, the laparoscopy-assisted vaginoplasty with peritoneum is comparatively complicated with longer operative duration, but the reconstructed vagina is longer with better long-term effect.