Robotics in Gender Affirming Surgery: Current Applications and Future Directions

Semin Plast Surg. 2023 Aug 3;37(3):193-198. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1771302. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Genital surgery for the treatment of gender dysphoria has undergone significant evolution since its inception in the first half of the 20th century. Robotic approaches to the pelvis allow for improved visualization and reduced abdominal wall morbidity, making the robotic surgical system a very useful tool in the gender affirming genital surgeon's armamentarium. In penile inversion vaginoplasty, robotically harvested peritoneal flaps can be used to augment the vaginal canal, thereby leading to improved vaginal depth, as well as improve operative efficiency by facilitating a two-surgeon approach. In transgender men, the robotic approach to vaginectomy assists with visualization to confirm complete obliteration of the vaginal canal. Robotic surgery will play a central role in the continued evolution of the field of gender affirming surgery.

Keywords: Davydov flap; bottom surgery; da Vinci SP; gender affirming surgery; penile inversion vaginoplasty; peritoneal flap vaginoplasty; robotic surgery; single port robot; transgender; vaginectomy; vaginoplasty.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

Funding None.