Long Term Findings Concerning the Mental and Physical Condition, Quality of Life and Sexuality after Laparoscopically Assisted Creation of a Neovagina (Modified Vecchietti Technique) in Young MRKHS (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser-Syndrome) Patients

Abstract

The Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser-syndrome (MRKHS) is characterized by a congenital uterine and vaginal aplasia. A large body of literature reports that a diagnosis of MRKHS has a variety of psychological effects on patients and doubts about female identity. The aim of the underlying study was to detect the patient-reported physical and mental health and sexual function before and after laparoscopically assisted creation of a neovagina. 160 women with MRKHS who underwent this type of surgery between September 2009 and December 2015 were invited to complete the questionnaires. Packages consisting of six questionnaires were handed out before surgery, six and 12 months after surgery. Data from 82 patients could be included in the study. Patients had a mean age of 19.9 years at inclusion in the study. We detected an impairment of the health-related mental quality of life. There was no higher risk for psychological disorders. MRKHS patients show similar self-acceptance and normal body image compared to the general population. The sexual function is limited before surgery and normalizes after surgery. Useful factors for coping with the disease are an interdisciplinary approach in diagnostics and treatment, psychosocial adaptation as well as a supportive social environment.

Keywords

• MRKHS
• mental health
• physical health
• sexuality
• quality of life
• depression