Long-term results on mental and physical well-being and sexuality after laparoscopic-assisted creation of a neovagina in young women with a rare genital malformation (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser-Syndrome)

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKHS) patients regarding different areas of health and quality of life as well as sexual function before and after creation of a neovagina.

Materials and methods:

This is a retrospective study including 82 patients with MRKHS undergoing a laparoscopically assisted creation of a neovagina. Questionnaire packages composed of 5 validated and 1 self-designed questionnaire were handed out before, 6 and 12 months after surgery.

Results:

The mean age before surgery was 19.9 ± 5.26 years. 52.4% were in a stable relationship before, 63.4% six months and 67.9% 12 months after surgery. Using the PHQ-D there was no increased occurrence of mental disorders compared to the age-matched general population. The presence of mental disorders was lower in most cases after surgery. With the FKB-20 we could detect a normal body image and no change over time. FSFI scores were clearly indicative of a sexual dysfunction before, but were in the normal range after surgery. Very low values in the psychic sum scale of the SF-12 indicate a significant impairment of the health-related psychic quality of life, improving after surgery. The majority of our MRKHS patients showed normal self-acceptance.

Conclusions:

For the first time, the effect of a laparoscopically assisted creation of a neovagina on physical, mental and sexual health was evaluated.

Different from other studies we could not detect an increased rate of mental disorders like depression. Neovaginoplasty had a positive effect on most of the values measured.