What is "vaginoplasty"

n. A surgical procedure used to construct or reconstruct a vaginal canal and mucous membrane.

Vaginoplasty is any number of genitoplasty surgical procedures done to the vagina, vulva or related structures; this includes surgery done to the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethra, cervix, uterus, bartholin's gland, rectum, perineal musculature, lymphatics, urethral sphincter, anal sphincter, large blood vessels, and nerve tissue. Malignant growths and abscesses are removed and vaginoplasty recreates a normal vaginal structure and function. Vaginoplasty is also used to correct congenital defects to the vagina, urethra and rectum. Vaginoplasty can correct uterine and vaginal prolapse. Often, a vaginoplasty is performed to repair the vagina and its attached structures due to trauma. It will correct protrusion of the urinary bladder into the vagina and protrusion of the rectum into the vagina.

Female infants born with a 46,XX genotype but have genitalia affected by congenital adrenal hyperplasia will undergo the surgical creation of a vagina. Vaginoplasty is commonly used to treat women with the congenital absence of the vagina. Other reasons for the surgery include issues involving a microphallus, those who have Mayer-Rokitansky-Kustner disorder, and women who have had a vaginectomy after malignancy or trauma. It is done to reduce the size of the entrance of the vagina in some cases. In some instances, it is used to alter the appearance of the vulvar region.