Objective: To investigate the long-term outcomes for Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) patients undergoing vaginoplasty using acellular porcine small intestinal submucosa grafts (SIS).
Design: A case series.
Population: Seventy-eight MRKH syndrome patients and a post-SIS patient who delivered a baby following the world's first robot-assisted uterus transplantation.
Methods: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome patients were grouped based on the postoperative time and the diagnosis-surgery interval. Outcomes of sexual function and psychological status were assessed using the female sexual function index (FSFI), self-rating scale of body image (SSBI) and self-acceptance questionnaire (SAQ). Anatomical outcomes were measured by clinicians.
Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was restoration of sexual function, defined by an FSFI score in the 'good' range. Anatomical and psychological outcomes were also analysed.
Results: Sexual function was restored in 42.3% (33/78) of patients and the total FSFI score was 23.44 ± 4.43. Three factors (body defect, recognition of physical appearance and willingness to change physical appearance scores) in the SSBI and two in the SAQ decreased as the postoperative time increased. Based on the interval between diagnosis and surgery, the total SSBI score was lower in the short-interval group than in the long-interval group (7.25 ± 5.55 versus 12.04 ± 10.21, p = 0.038).
Conclusions: Nearly half of MRKH patients in our study had good long-term sexual function after SIS vaginoplasty. Sexual function and psychological status improved as postoperative time increased. In addition, reducing the diagnosis to surgery interval was associated with improved psychological function.
Keywords: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome; psychological outcomes; sexual function restoration; small intestinal submucosa grafts; vaginoplasty.
© 2023 The Authors. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.