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Perineoplasty (Perineorrhaphy)
The visible area between the vagina and the rectum is called the perineum. This is the region where episiotomies are cut and where tears during childbirth are most common. Perineoplasty (or Perineorrhaphy) aims to make this region appear normal by excising excess skin, loose skin tags, and suturing the underlying muscles or the perineal body closer together to give a more snug feeling in the introitus or vaginal opening. Most plastic surgeons who perform vaginoplasty surgery are actually performing perineoplasty surgery, a more superficial procedure that does not tighten the entire depth of the vaginal canal. This procedure has been advertised by many to “Enhance Sexual Gratification.” The procedure almost always accompanies vaginoplasty since you are working in the same area. This procedure takes 30 minutes to perform. For cost of surgery, click here.
Patient History: This professional young woman in her mid 40s complained of
vaginal laxity and pelvic pressure. Bowel movements were sometimes
difficult. She had multiple vaginal deliveries with the usual episiotomies
and tearing. She complained of bulging of her perineal body (the space
between the vagina and the rectum) when having bowe movements and found that
pushing on this bulge helped get the stools out.
Surgery Performed: Posterior Compartment Repair, Vaginoplasty, Extensive
Perineoplasty
Shown in the photographs are the steps performed in surgery. This surgery
was done in our office under mild sedation, local anesthesia, and no IVs!
You can see the vaginal mucosa at rest and with the patient pushing to
illustrate the protruding rectocele. The perineum was rebuilt with multiple
layers of sutures and the perineal bulging was eliminated. The entire
lenght of the vaginal was also rebuilt by perfoming a vaginoplasty. THe
Post-Op pictures at the end of the series shows excellent healing just six
weeks after surgery. The small scar will fade within weeks to months and a
smooth perineum will be seen.
Many plastic surgeons and general gynecologist perform simple perineoplasty
with excision of triangular pieces of vaginal and perineal skin and
mistakenly label it as a vaginoplasty. What is shown here is a more
extensive and definitive approach to the problem of vaginal looseness.
Simply performing a perineoplasty will not give the vaginal tightness deeper
into the vagina. Perinoplasty surgery does not go deep into the vagina but
intends to repair the damage of childbirth right at the opening of the
vagina.
Outcome: She had pain and pressure for the first two weeks of surgery that
slowly resolved. Her bowel movements improved dramatically and no bulging
of the perineum occured. She started the vaginal softening exercises six
weeks after surgery, the time these photographs were taken, and resumed a
normal and active lifestyle. Both the patient and her husband were very
happy with the tightened vaginal canal.
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