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All cases are done
under general anesthesia.
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The perineal skin flap
is designed in proper shape and size and will finally be joined
with the inverted penile flap for vaginal opening reconstruction.
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The vaginal opening
and space are created below the urethra (urinary tube) and the
prostate gland. After passing the prostate capsule at 4 inches
depth, the plane become loose and the direction will be a downward
slant to the recto-vesicle pouch. The depth of this newly created
space normally 6-7 inches, or even more in some cases depending on
the anatomy of individuals.
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Bilateral orchidectomy
(removal of testes and spermatic cord) is performed.
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The inverted skin flap
from the penis is used for the skin lining of neovagina. If the
penile skin is not adequate for the total lining, the scrotal skin
graft will be routinely added for additional depth.
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The penis shaft is
removed except some small parts of the gland penis and its sensory
nerves and vessels for constructing the sensate clitoris.
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During clitoroplasty,
all sensory nerve branches will be well identified and
meticulously preserved for good sensation. The clitoris is set in
its normal position and the clitoral column and hooding are also
fashioned in one stage to make it look more natural.
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The urethral opening
is centrally located above introitus (vaginal opening) and the
urethral mucosal set between the clitoris and urethral opening in
order simulate the pink wet vulva mucosa.
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The excess erectile
tissue around the urethra is removed. This is to avoid any
symptoms of engorged erectile tissue during sexual arousal that
may result in narrowing of the vaginal canal.
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The scrotal skin flaps
are converted into the outer labias. The scrotal fat contents are
well preserved to augment the labias.
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The inner labias are
simultaneously made from the prepuce flaps (pink-colour skin
attached to the gland penis), which are long enough to cover the
neoclitoris, urethral and upper part of vaginal opening. However,
thinner lip appearance of the inner labia can be done later at the
labiaplasty stage.
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A vaginal packing is
placed inside the neovagina for 4 days and the patient is normally
discharged after a week.
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Occasionally some
patients will be prescribed hormonal therapy following the
reassignment surgery.