Reconstructive Surgery of the Female Genital, Urethral, and Anal Tract: A Multidisciplinary Review and Future Perspectives

<b>Background</b>: Pelvic floor dysfunctions, congenital anomalies, and acquired defects of the female genital, urethral, and anal tract represent complex conditions requiring multidisciplinary management. This review synthesizes current evidence and aims to evaluate reconstructive surgical techniques, prosthetic use, and cosmetic approaches with a focus on functional and aesthetic outcomes. <b>Methods</b>: A structured literature search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed for the period from January 2000 to May 2025 (last search: 31 May 2025). Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, prospective or retrospective clinical studies, and case series in English or Italian, enrolling women aged ≥18 years with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Primary outcomes were anatomical restoration, continence, sexual function, and quality of life; secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, wound complications, donor-site morbidity, and recurrence. Recent high-quality studies published after 2018 were prioritized to ensure an updated and evidence-based synthesis. <b>Results</b>: Out of 532 records, 94 full texts were assessed and 41 studies met the eligibility criteria, comprising a total of 1862 women. Flap-based reconstruction (gluteus maximus, VRAM, gracilis, ALT) remained the cornerstone for large or irradiated defects, while prosthetic meshes improved anatomical outcomes but raised concerns of erosion and chronic pain, leading to a shift toward autologous tissue. Cosmetic gynecology procedures (labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, perineoplasty) showed high patient satisfaction, although the evidence was limited and heterogeneous. Across studies, improvements were observed in continence, sexual function, quality of life, and self-image when reconstructive and aesthetic principles were integrated. <b>Conclusions</b>: Reconstructive and cosmetic pelvic surgery significantly impacts functional recovery and psychological well-being. Standardized outcome reporting, prospective multicenter trials, and the integration of plastic surgery, physiotherapy, and psychological support are needed to optimize patient-centered care. The findings highlight the growing role of personalized surgical planning, with reconstructive decisions increasingly guided by patient-specific anatomy, functional goals, and validated patient-reported outcome measures.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Personalized Medicine
Published
2025-12-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15120613
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.88
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article

Reconstructive Surgery of the Female Genital, Urethral, and Anal Tract: A Multidisciplinary Review and Future Perspectives

Paolo Verrazzo, Paola Pentangelo, Riccardo Papa, Carmine Alfano et al.
1 citations
Journal of Personalized Medicine
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues
1.88
article

Reconstructive Surgery of the Female Genital, Urethral, and Anal Tract: A Multidisciplinary Review and Future Perspectives

Paolo Verrazzo, Paola Pentangelo, Riccardo Papa, Carmine Alfano, Vivian Del Sorbo
article en
1 citations

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: Pelvic floor dysfunctions, congenital anomalies, and acquired defects of the female genital, urethral, and anal tract represent complex conditions requiring multidisciplinary management. This review synthesizes current evidence and aims to evaluate reconstructive surgical techniques, prosthetic use, and cosmetic approaches with a focus on functional and aesthetic outcomes. <b>Methods</b>: A structured literature search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed for the period from January 2000 to May 2025 (last search: 31 May 2025). Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, prospective or retrospective clinical studies, and case series in English or Italian, enrolling women aged ≥18 years with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Primary outcomes were anatomical restoration, continence, sexual function, and quality of life; secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, wound complications, donor-site morbidity, and recurrence. Recent high-quality studies published after 2018 were prioritized to ensure an updated and evidence-based synthesis. <b>Results</b>: Out of 532 records, 94 full texts were assessed and 41 studies met the eligibility criteria, comprising a total of 1862 women. Flap-based reconstruction (gluteus maximus, VRAM, gracilis, ALT) remained the cornerstone for large or irradiated defects, while prosthetic meshes improved anatomical outcomes but raised concerns of erosion and chronic pain, leading to a shift toward autologous tissue. Cosmetic gynecology procedures (labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, perineoplasty) showed high patient satisfaction, although the evidence was limited and heterogeneous. Across studies, improvements were observed in continence, sexual function, quality of life, and self-image when reconstructive and aesthetic principles were integrated. <b>Conclusions</b>: Reconstructive and cosmetic pelvic surgery significantly impacts functional recovery and psychological well-being. Standardized outcome reporting, prospective multicenter trials, and the integration of plastic surgery, physiotherapy, and psychological support are needed to optimize patient-centered care. The findings highlight the growing role of personalized surgical planning, with reconstructive decisions increasingly guided by patient-specific anatomy, functional goals, and validated patient-reported outcome measures.

Journal of Personalized MedicineVol. 15(12)
University of Salerno (IT), Ospedale Santa Maria (IT), Federico II University Hospital (IT), University of Naples Federico II (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues
1.88
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