Using colon tissue to create a vagina for a young patient

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Văn Ân - Head of Functional Urology Department, University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, said that the hospital has just received treatment for a complex genital malformation case.

P. is recovering well after the vaginal reconstruction using old intestine - Photo: Thanh Huyền

The patient is a member of an ethnic minority named M.T.P. (born in 2000, living in Lao Cai province). When married, P. and her husband could not have sexual intercourse; a medical examination revealed that she does not have a vagina. P. also never had menstruation. Since she had an uncle in Dak Nong province who knows Vietnamese, P. asked him to take her for treatment.

After vaginal reconstruction surgery at a local medical facility, P. noticed urine continuously leaking from the vagina. The condition worsened day by day, prompting her to seek examination at Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Dr. An determined that the patient had a congenital anomaly lacking a uterus and vagina. The patient's vagina consisted of only a short segment about 2cm long. Additionally, P. experienced urine leaking from the bladder into the vaginal stump (presumably because during the vaginal reconstruction, the surgeon inadvertently cut the bladder).

After waiting for a while for the patient's health to stabilize, the doctor performed a bladder repair surgery. Next, the surgical team removed a segment of the large intestine about 12cm long with a good vascular pedicle and brought it down to the vulvar and pelvic area to create a neovagina for the girl. This is a complex technique. Many hospitals have previously performed vaginal reconstruction using amniotic membrane and peritoneum, but there have been no reports of using the large intestine in Vietnam.

Among autologous materials for vaginal reconstruction, Dr. An considers the use of the colon the best. Because the colon has a tubular shape, the vagina will not collapse over time, and the patient can engage in normal sexual activity.

So far, one week after the surgery, the patient shows signs of good recovery. Dr. Ân assesses that the operation was successful surgically. The patient's vagina is dry, no longer leaking urine. The patient continues to be closely monitored and will be re-evaluated when the urinary catheter is removed in another two weeks. In the coming period, P. will continue to have a vaginal dilator placed, and it is expected that in two months she will fully recover and be able to have normal marital relations.

Although P. does not have a uterus, her ovaries function well. The patient still has the chance to have a child through in vitro fertilization and by using a surrogate. P. is in a very difficult situation. All treatment costs for the patient are covered with the help of the Social Work Department of the Strong Movement Hospital's benefactors.

Women's Newspaper: https://www.phunuonline.com.vn/dung-ruot-gia-tao-hinh-am...
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