Clinical Characteristics and Management of Neovaginal Fistulas After Vaginoplasty in Transgender Women

Abstract

Neovaginal fistulas are uncommon after vaginoplasty. Symptoms of neovaginal fistulas are comparable with those of vaginal fistulas. In most patients, the diagnosis can be made based on symptoms and physical examination alone. It seems that a complicated course (eg, intraoperative rectal perforation or meatal stenosis) predisposes for fistula formation. Surgical repair of neovaginal fistulas is associated with few intraoperative and postoperative complications and does not seem to impair neovaginal function.