Management of vaginal laxity through bilateral wall tightening without mucosal excision

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2023 May:80:28-35. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2023.01.026. Epub 2023 Feb 8.

Abstract

Background: Vaginal tightening or vaginoplasty has been gaining popularity, while validated methods of evaluation and treatment are still lacking. Herein, we describe a bilateral wall tightening technique for vaginal laxity and evaluate the feasibility of this method.

Methods: From April 2020 to September 2021, 25 women with vaginal laxity underwent vaginal tightening, and 22 women were included in this retrospective observational study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: participants with at least one delivery and reported vaginal laxity, but without a history of underlying diseases. Vaginal pressure tests and questionnaires were used to evaluate vaginal laxity and sexual quality before and 6 months after the surgery.

Results: The study included 22 women (aged 29-46 years), and the follow-up period was 14.1 ± 3.3 months. The score based on the vaginal laxity questionnaire was improved as a result of surgery (preoperative median: 2.00, interquartile range [IQR]: 1.00-2.00; postoperative median: 5.00, IQR: 5.00-6.25, p < 0.001). The vaginal pressure increased from 2.3 ± 1.8 mm/Hg to 21.4 ± 3.7 mm/Hg. Sexual distress changed from 24.2 ± 8.9-16.1 ± 4.8 after surgery (p < 0.001), and sexual dysfunction with an average score of 20.1 ± 10.6 before surgery improved after the procedure (26.0 ± 10.8, p < 0.001). Women also reported improved scores in desire, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction. In addition, there were no intraoperative complications or significant events during the follow-up period.

Conclusions: Bilateral vaginal tightening without mucosal excision is a feasible and effective surgical approach for the management of vaginal laxity.

Keywords: Genital cosmetic surgery; Vaginal laxity; Vaginal tightening; Vaginoplasty.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mercury*
  • Radiofrequency Therapy*
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological* / etiology
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological* / surgery
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vagina / surgery

Substances

  • Mercury