The first experience of using the pedicled labia minora flap for urethral lengthening in transgender men undergoing anterolateral thigh and superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap phalloplasty: a multicenter study on clinical outcomes

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the novel surgical technique of urethral lengthening in anterolateral thigh and superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap phalloplasty with a pedicled labia minora flap (PLMF) and report on the clinical outcomes. METHODS: Between March 2014 and August 2018, 16 transgender men underwent phalloplasty with a PLMF for urethral lengthening at the Amsterdam UMC (VU university), the Netherlands and the Belgrade University Hospital, Serbia. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, neourethra characteristics, intra- and postoperative complications, pre-and postoperative voiding evaluation, and the length of hospital stay were retrospectively identified from chart reviews. RESULTS: The mean neourethral length was 16.8 ± 2.3 cm, and the pars pendulans 11.7 ± 2.2 cm. The neomeatus was localized on top of the neophallus in 12 (75%) patients. No intraoperative complications occurred. Urethral fistula formation occurred in 4 (25%) patients and strictures in 6 (37.5%) patients. In 3 (18.7%) patients a (temporary) perineostomy had to be performed. Voiding from a standing position was possible in 9 (56.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: The PLMF for urethral reconstruction, both pars fixa and pars pendulans, in phalloplasty is a feasible surgical technique in transgender men undergoing anterolateral thigh or superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap phalloplasty with sufficient labia minora tissue.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)179-187
Number of pages9
JournalUrology
Volume138
Early online date3 Jan 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2020

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