French validation of the oMtFSFI Questionnaire for assessing the sexual function of Transgender women after vulvo-vaginoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The Operated Male-to-Female Sexual Function Index (oMtFSFI) questionnaire is the first scoring system developed to assess sexual function after gender-affirming vulvo-vaginoplasty, and was initially developed and validated in Italian. The aim of this study was to provide linguistic validation of the questionnaire in French through several steps including use of the questionnaires across a series of patients who had undergone gender-affirming vulvo-vaginoplasty between 2020 and 2022 at two French academic centers. METHOD: The French version of the oMtFSFI questionnaire was obtained through a double translation (Italian to French) and a back-translation (French to Italian), validated by a scientific committee, and cognitively assessed by a panel of expert patients. The questionnaire was then distributed to transgender male to female patients who had undergone genital gender affirming surgery at two French academic centers. RESULTS: The oMtFSFI score consists of 18 questions exploring 7 domains (genital self-image, desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, sexual pain). Among the sixty-four patients who responded to the questionnaire, 16 patients (25%) reported abstaining from sexual activity involving vaginal penetration at the time of the study were excluded. The mean total score was 37, corresponding to mild to moderate sexual dysfunction and 60.4% of the patients reported normal overall sexual function. The level of sexual satisfaction was normal for 68.8% of the patients and the genital self-image was normal for 52.1%. Most of the patients (79.2%) reported at least mild dyspareunia and 10.4% had critical sexual dysfunction. Surgery improved gender dysphoria in 96.7% of patients. There was a strong correlation between the overall oMtFSFI score and the happiness Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (P<0.001) as well as with the quality of life VAS (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The French version of the oMtFSFI questionnaire is the only scoring system specifically developed to assess sexual function after vulvo-vaginoplasty in transgender women linguistically validated in French. Its validation in French language makes it an interesting tool for research and clinical practice.

[The history of vaginoplasty: Technical and sociological advances]. / Histoire de la vaginoplastie : évolution technique et sociologique.

Technical advances in gender-affirming genital surgery have allowed the modern surgeon to create a vagina, vulva and clitoris from a male sex. This surgery, commonly known as vaginoplasty, should in fact be identified as aidopoiesis, since it is not a question of improving an already existing vagina but of creating a female sex. Numerous technical advances made since 1930 throughout the world now offer a safe and proven surgical strategy for female genital gender affirmation. Most of these techniques are derived from advances in intersex genital surgery. The first vaginoplasties described in the context of gender affirmation were performed in Berlin in the 1930s. After the Second World War, the greatest advances in vaginoplasty were made in Denmark. It was not until Geroges Burou in Casablanca and Harold Gillies, aided by Ralph Millard in England, in the mid-fifties that the modern technique of invagination of the penile skin took over from neo-vaginal grafting techniques. The creation of the clitoris from the glans penis and a more aesthetic vulva were the major advances from the 1970s. Other flap or intestinal transplant techniques were also developed, often to correct the failure of penile skin invagination. Some of the patients who benefited from these early technical advances, such as Lili Elbe and Christine Jorgensen later on, helped to make this surgery, which had long remained taboo, popular with the general public. Pioneers such as the gynaecologist Georges Burou in Casablanca have contributed, with the greatest discretion, to the well-being of gender-affirmed people by improving these techniques. Today, this hard-won heritage cannot be ignored by surgeons interested in vaginoplasty.

[Genital gender affirming surgery in trans women: Vulvo-vaginoplasty review]. / Chirurgie génitale d'affirmation de genre pour les femmes trans : revue des vulvo-vaginoplasties.

INTRODUCTION: A trans woman is a woman who was assigned male at birth, and who has a female gender identity. The majority are requesting a gender affirming genital surgery by vulvo-vaginoplasty. The objective is to review this surgery based on its history, then by presenting the different surgical techniques and their success and complication rates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A narrative review was performed, based on a bibliography search with keywords from 2000 to 2022 on Pubmed. RESULTS: Vulvo-vaginoplasty for trans women began in 1931, and the first case series date from 1969. The procedure includes excision of scrotal skin, orchiectomy, clitoroplasty, urethroplasty, labioplasty, recto-vesico-prostatic dissection and creation of a vaginal cavity (performed by penile skin inversion and graft, intestine, or peritoneum). Vulvo-vaginoplasty by penile skin inversion (VPPI) is today the reference surgical technique. It represents the vast majority of surgeries performed with the longest follow-up. The majority of trans women are satisfied with the procedure aesthetically (90%) and functionally (80%), with an active sexuality. Major complications are rare (< 5%), they correspond to fistulas or vaginal stenosis. CONCLUSION: VPPI is the gold standard technique with satisfactory overall results, but long-term follow-up is requested.

[Description of a vaginoplasty technique using a peritoneal flap harvested by coelioscopic approach for male-to-female gender affirmations (MtF)]. / Description d'une technique de vaginoplastie utilisant un lambeau péritonéal prélevé par voie cœlioscopie pour les affirmations de genre homme-à-femme (HtF).

AIM: The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive description of the peritoneal flap technique in male-to-female (MtF) gender affirmation surgery, particularly in cases of insufficient depth after penile inversion vaginoplasty. RESULTS: Our short-term results reveal that the peritoneal flap vaginoplasty, adapted from the Davydov procedure, has shown significant potential for improving functional and aesthetic outcomes, including the creation of a self-lubricating neovagina. However, the complexity of the procedure requires advanced surgical expertise and appropriate postoperative care. Patient selection also plays an essential role as not all patients are ideal candidates for this procedure. CONCLUSION: Despite its promises, the widespread adoption of the peritoneal flap technique in male-to-female (MtF) gender affirmation surgery is hindered by several challenges, including the need for specialized training and potential postoperative complications. Thus, this technique should be considered as an alternative or complement to traditional methods, depending on individual patient factors. Further research and extensive clinical trials are needed to better understand its potential and limitations in order to enhance the arsenal of effective surgical options for MtF gender affirmation surgery.

[Vulvoplasty after gender-affirmating genital surgery]. / Vulvoplastie chez les patientes en incongruence de genre.

Functional and aesthetic results after vaginoplasty in sexual reassignment surgery have improved in recent years. Improved surgical techniques, well-established expert teams and a growing demand for and interest in this type of surgery are some of the reasons for these results. However, there is a growing demand for genital cosmetic surgery, not only among cis women, but also among trans women. The main shortcomings in results are therefore presented and listed. The aesthetic revision surgery techniques specifically indicated are described. Labiaplasty and clitoridoplasty appear to be the two main requests for secondary surgery following trans vaginoplasty.

[Postoperative complications after genital gender confirming surgery in transgender women]. / Complications postopératoires après transformation génitale homme-femme (aidoiopoiëse).

Genital gender affirmation surgery in transgender women is usually performed by single-stage penile inversion vaginoplasty, with creation of vagina, perineal urethral meatus, majora and minora labia, and clitoris. Postoperative functional or aesthetic complications are common, affecting every reconstructed part of the neovulva. Patients should be preoperatively informed of those possible complications. Postoperative close follow-up must be conducted, beginning with therapeutic learning of the self-dilation regimen, detecting and treating any complication, and ending up when complete healing is obtained among satisfied patient.

[Cosmetic surgery of the female genitalia]. / Chirurgie cosmétique de l'appareil génital féminin.

INTRODUCTION: This review studies rationale and outcome of vulvovaginal aesthetic surgery. METHOD: Medline search of the existing literature utilizing terms labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction, hymenoplasty, vaginoplasty, perineoplasty, female genital surgery, sexual satisfaction/body image, and anterior/posterior colporrhaphy; references from bibliographies of papers found through the literature search and in the author's reading of available literature until January 2012. Clinicians who receive requests from patients for such procedures should discuss with the patient the reason for request and perform an evaluation for any physical signs or symptoms that may indicate the need for surgical intervention. RESULTS: A physical psychological and sexological evaluation is mandatory before a procedure of female cosmetic genital surgery. Perineoplasties in wide vagina sensations should be proposed after careful evaluation of patients, by trained surgeons, in part of a multidisciplinary approach especially sexologic, after attempt of conservative treatments (pelvic floor rehabilitation). Patients should be informed of results and complications. Female genital mutilation repair with surgery is possible and improve majority of patients. Improvement mechanism is complex and clinical trials are ongoing. Asking for this surgery, is more often result of a deep reflexion for patient who integrate his own story and those of her family. She should be listened to, respected and managed in a reference center. Sexotherapy should be systematically proposed. Concerning hymenoplasty, the procedure is considered as "legally" by medical doctors. Several techniques are available, few described, and there is no evidence-based publication. Labioplasty is a procedure whose patient expectations should be properly evaluated by surgeon and benefits risks should be informed. A preliminary discussion around "normality" and a psychotherapy should be tried, in order to not treat a dysmorphobia by surgery. Vaginal "rejuvenation" and G spot ampliation principles and techniques are very controversial and there is no evidence-based study. CONCLUSION: Cosmetic surgery of the female genitalia covers a variety of techniques corresponding to extremely diverse situations. It requires careful and multidisciplinary evaluation as well as clear and honest information of patients. Reconstructive surgery of female genital mutilation and sexual crimes does not pose a real problem in term of indication or justification.

[Transsexualism]. / Le transsexualisme.

UNLABELLED: Transsexual conditions need to be assessed for a psychological, hormonal and surgical evaluation. A multidisciplinary consent is required to perform hormonal and surgical treatment. METHOD: A critical overview has been performed (PubMed) and the main guidelines have been summarised. RESULTS: Hormonal treatments include suppression of the naturally secreted hormone and the administration of hormone of the desired sex. The main comorbidity is thrombo-embolic complications for patients under oestogene therapy. The main surgical treatment for female to male (FtM) surgery are: periareolar mastectomy if possible, hysterectomy, ovariectomy and vaginectomy and phallic reconstruction including metaidioplasty and forearm or suprapubic phalloplasty dependant of patient's wishes. The main treatments for male to female (MtF) surgery are: prosthesis mammoplasty and vaginoplasty and for some facial feminisation. The results in term of global satisfaction are high despite a relatively high rate of complications as well. CONCLUSION: Results in terms of well-being and psychological improvement justify this treatment despite its relatively high morbidity.