Laparoscopic rectosigmoid colpopoiesis: Does it benefit our transsexual patients?

When inversion of the combined penile and scrotal skin flaps for vaginoplas ty in male-to-female transsexuals has not led to functional results, rectos igmoid colpopoiesis offers an immediate solution to a complicated and diffi cult problem. However, open colocolpopoiesis involves major surgery, and it may be associated with substantial extended morbidity and hospitalization, short- and long-term unfavorable results, and extensive scarring of the ab domen. To reduce this associated morbidity, we employ a laparoscopically as sisted approach and a total laparoscopic rectosigmoid colpopoiesis. This pr ocedure has been performed safely in the series presented herein, with no a pparent compromise in the adequacy of the dissections. We conclude that our patients benefited from this procedure, and we advocate considering a tota l or partial laparoscopic approach whenever secondary rectosigmoid colpopoi esis is indicated in male-to-female transsexuls.