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Management of Iatrogenic Vaginal Constriction

From the Section of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, Illinois; and Section of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Good Samaritan Hospital and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Address reprint requests to: Brett J. Vassallo, MD, University of Chicago Hospitals, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC 2050, Chicago, IL 60637; E-mail: bvassall{at}babies.bsd.uchicago.edu.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess the outcomes of four approaches to the surgical management of iatrogenic vaginal constriction.

METHODS: A prospective study was initiated to evaluate all women who presented to our practice with the complaint of apareunia or dyspareunia secondary to postoperative vaginal constriction. All participants were initially offered and failed a trial of manual dilation. Between 1997 and 2002, 20 women underwent one of four surgical procedures: Z-plasty, vaginal incision of constriction ring, vaginal advancement, or placement of free skin graft. All 20 participants have been followed postoperatively, including assessment of dyspareunia and postoperative vaginal length and caliber.

RESULTS: Three patients underwent Z-plasty, eight had incision of vaginal ring or ridge, eight had vaginal advancement, and one underwent placement of a free skin graft. Mean follow-up was 17 months (range, 3–32 months). Subjective cure was defined as resumption of pain-free vaginal intercourse. Objective cure was defined by findings on physical examination. The overall subjective and objective cure rates were 75% and 85%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The appropriate surgical procedure depends on the site and extent of the vaginal constriction, the state of the surrounding tissue, and the overall length and caliber of the vagina.