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Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) is an autoimmune process resulting in painful epidermal sloughing that can involve the vulva and vagina. Current guideline recommendations are based on expert opinion and may not reflect modern management of SJS/TEN in burn centers. We performed a retrospective chart review of 34 female patients treated for SJS/TEN at our burn center from 2015 to 2023. Cases frequently involved the vulva (83.3%) and vagina (56.0%), though pelvic examination often was limited. For eight patients with confirmed vulvovaginal lesions, there were no direct sequelae of SJS/TEN requiring intervention. In the modern era of SJS/TEN management in burn centers, interventions such as steroids may not be needed., Competing Interests: Financial Disclosure The authors did not report any potential conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Management of the constricted or obliterated vagina demands an understanding and recognition of the potential etiologies leading to this presentation. A thorough and comprehensive medical and surgical review is required to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, which then will guide medical or surgical intervention. It is paramount to recognize when underlying medical conditions are contributing to these conditions and to begin medical therapy; failure to do so will often yield suboptimal results. When these conditions arise after surgical interventions, compensatory surgical techniques that correct upper and lower vaginal strictures or obliteration include incision through the stricture, vaginal advancement, Z-plasty, skin grafts, perineal flaps, and abdominal flaps and grafts. Postoperative surveillance and dilation are critical to optimize long-term success.

Background: Pelvic organ incarceration resulting from complete uterovaginal prolapse is rare. Unique management and treatment of this condition are presented., Case: A 66-year-old multigravid woman presented with increasing abdominal pain, 1-day history of urinary retention, and 30-day history of obstipation. She exhibited complete procidentia, and an attempt to reduce the prolapse immediately was unsuccessful. After fecal disimpaction in the operating room, an obstetric balloon was used for temporary reduction., Conclusion: Incarcerated complete procidentia is treated in a stepwise process, initially reducing the prolapse to relieve acute incarceration symptoms. Typically, reduction is accomplished with the aid of a pessary. However, because of this patient's condition, an obstetric balloon was used for temporary reduction to allow subsequent surgical treatment after tissue rest and medical stabilization. This method should be considered in similar situations.

Background: With advances in minimally invasive approaches, laparoscopically placed abdominal cerclages are becoming more common. Although not meant to replace vaginally placed cerclages, one potential advantage is reuse in subsequent pregnancies. Their lifespan, potential remote complications, and long-term management remain unexplored., Case: Reported is a patient with a laparoscopic abdominal cerclage who carried two pregnancies to term. Seven years after initial placement, 3 years after her last delivery, an abscess developed at the cerclage site. Erosion and subsequent expulsion of the cerclage followed., Conclusion: The longevity of abdominally placed cerclages is unknown. Placement in the peritoneal cavity reduces suture migration risk, yet tissue degradation may limit the lifespan. Patients with retained abdominal cerclages after completion of childbearing are at risk for remote complications. Closer long-term surveillance on an individual level and a collective level is warranted.

Background: Granulomas of the female genital tract are rare and usually occur after operative procedures., Case: A patient with rheumatoid arthritis presented with vaginal discharge and bleeding with ulcerative, red, friable lesions of the cervix, which extended to the bladder floor and the right upper vaginal wall. Cervical biopsy was highly suggestive of rheumatoid nodules. This prompted revision of the diagnosis of tuberculosis, which was suspected several months earlier when pulmonary and renal lesions were noted. The cervico-vaginal lesions did not respond to local steroid treatment and improved when the systemic steroid dose was increased; however, they recurred on tapering the dose., Conclusion: Rheumatoid nodules can occur in the genital tract, which poses diagnostic and treatment challenges.

Background: The tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure has become standard for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. The procedure carries a risk of vaginal erosion and exposure of the mesh. When this occurs, most surgeons recommend removal of the tape for immediate relief of symptoms. However, this poses a risk of recurrence of urinary incontinence., Case: A premenopausal woman had an exposed vaginal mesh after a TVT procedure. After failed conservative treatment, she was treated successfully using a Martius graft, with preservation of the mesh., Conclusion: The Martius procedure was a practical alternative for treating this patient with synthetic-mesh-induced vaginal erosion. It allowed preservation of the sling, thereby preventing recurrence of urinary incontinence.

Background: Female genital cutting is a cultural practice in Africa and the Middle East. As more patients who have undergone this procedure are seen in the United States and undergo surgical revision of the scarred labia, new clinical findings will arise., Case: At the time of surgical revision of female genital cutting, small clusters of villi were noted on the vaginal and labial mucosa of 3 patients. Pathological examination revealed benign-appearing papillary structures. These villi completely resolved by the 6-week postoperative visit., Conclusion: Female genital cutting may lead to a vaginal environment that predisposes women to benign changes in the vaginal mucosa that resolve after the closed (infibulated) labia are surgically revised.

Background: Abdominal sacral colpopexy with permanent mesh has become the preferred abdominal technique for correcting posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. Although rare, mesh erosion after sacral colpopexy is often challenging to manage. We report on 3 cases of mesh erosion after abdominal sacral colpopexy managed by transvaginal endoscopic removal of the mesh., Cases: The cases involve patients who underwent an abdominal sacral colpopexy and had vaginal mesh erosions within 3 years of their surgeries. Conservative and traditional transvaginal techniques failed, and the patients continued to complain of vaginal discharge. All patients underwent transvaginal endoscopic removal of the mesh and are cured of their chronic discharges., Conclusion: Transvaginal endoscopic removal is an effective, minimally invasive option for removal of eroded mesh after abdominal sacral colpopexy.

Objective: To characterize vaginal rupture and evisceration., Methods: We reviewed medical records (1970-2001) for use of the diagnostic terms "vaginal rupture," "vaginal evisceration," and "ruptured enterocele.", Results: Twelve clinical cases were identified. Patients usually presented with pain, vaginal bleeding, and abdominal pressure. In 9 of 12 women, rupture was primarily associated with postmenopausal prolapse and a history of pelvic surgery. Women with a history of abdominal hysterectomy tended to rupture through the vaginal cuff, and those with a history of vaginal hysterectomy tended to rupture through a posterior enterocele. Premenopausal rupture in 1 woman occurred postcoitally and involved the posterior fornix. Prolapse recurrence after repair was limited to 1 woman., Conclusions: Vaginal rupture and evisceration should be considered in women presenting with acute vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. Evaluation is especially important in postmenopausal women with a history of pelvic surgery. In some cases, surveillance after pelvic surgery may prevent rupture, evisceration, and incarceration., Level of Evidence: II-3

Objective: To prospectively assess the outcomes of four approaches to the surgical management of iatrogenic vaginal constriction., Methods: A prospective study was initiated to evaluate all women who presented to our practice with the complaint of apareunia or dyspareunia secondary to postoperative vaginal constriction. All participants were initially offered and failed a trial of manual dilation. Between 1997 and 2002, 20 women underwent one of four surgical procedures: Z-plasty, vaginal incision of constriction ring, vaginal advancement, or placement of free skin graft. All 20 participants have been followed postoperatively, including assessment of dyspareunia and postoperative vaginal length and caliber., Results: Three patients underwent Z-plasty, eight had incision of vaginal ring or ridge, eight had vaginal advancement, and one underwent placement of a free skin graft. Mean follow-up was 17 months (range, 3-32 months). Subjective cure was defined as resumption of pain-free vaginal intercourse. Objective cure was defined by findings on physical examination. The overall subjective and objective cure rates were 75% and 85%, respectively., Conclusion: The appropriate surgical procedure depends on the site and extent of the vaginal constriction, the state of the surrounding tissue, and the overall length and caliber of the vagina.

Background: Vaginal evisceration can take place many years after vaginal surgery., Case: An 87-year-old woman presented with evisceration of small bowel through the vagina, 15 years after she underwent a vaginal hysterectomy. On physical examination, her vital signs were normal. Forty centimeters of small bowel was visible emerging from the vagina, appearing viable and nonedematous. Because of the high surgical risk, the bowel was replaced and the defect in the vaginal wall was repaired transvaginally., Conclusion: Vaginal evisceration can be treated by a transvaginal surgical approach. Factors such as the medical condition of the patient and the viability of the herniated viscus should dictate the optimal approach in each case.

Background: Castleman disease is a lymphoreticular disorder, which may be clinically silent. However, systemic manifestations can occur, which include generalized adenopathy and life-threatening bronchiolitis obliterans., Case: A woman presented with vaginal mucosal lesions recalcitrant to initial treatment efforts. Progression of the disease required hospitalization for pulmonary involvement. Castleman disease was diagnosed after extensive multidisciplinary evaluation and excision of a pelvic mass. The patient's symptoms dramatically improved postoperatively., Conclusion: Castleman disease should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients with paraneoplastic symptoms and a pelvic mass.

Background: Primary vaginal stones in children are extremely rare but important because they are often mistaken for bladder calculi on plain film., Case: A 13-year-old girl was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain. Physical and serial radiologic examinations found a hard mass anterior to the rectum. By vaginoscopy, the stone was found at the posterior fornix of the vagina., Conclusion: Primary vaginal stones should be suspected, especially in disabled children.

Background: Introital stenosis from both bony and soft tissue contracture is an unusual clinical problem not well addressed in the literature., Case: A woman with a history of pelvic irradiation at age 1 for malignancy presented with severe introital stenosis unresponsive to conservative topical and dilatational therapy. She ultimately required staged bony resection of her infantile pelvis and soft tissue reconstruction to reestablish her introital aperture to an adequate and functional size., Conclusion: Introital stenosis from childhood requires a different treatment because development of the pelvis may not have been normal, and bony narrowing may exist in conjunction with soft tissue contracture. A staged multispecialty approach is recommended to treat this interesting variant of introital stenosis.

Background: Stenosis of the neovagina is a late postoperative complication of male-to-female sex reassignment surgery when patients do not have frequent sexual intercourse or do not perform vaginal dilation., Case: A 39-year-old male-to-female transsexual who had sex reassignment surgery, in which a segment of sigmoid colon was used for neovagina construction, developed total introital stenosis and subsequent peritonitis caused by bowel perforation of the colon conduit., Conclusion: To avoid stenosis of the neovagina, an inflatable silicon vaginal stent should be used all day for 30 days, then for 3 months overnight or until sexual function is regular.

Background: Laparoscopic colposuspension is a popular surgical procedure for stress incontinence. To simplify the laparoscopic approach, many physicians have replaced laparoscopic suturing with mesh, secured with staples or tacks., Cases: Two women developed severe, shooting vaginal pain after laparoscopic colposuspension with mesh and tacks. The tacks could be palpated vaginally in both, reproducing the pain. Tack removal relieved their pain, but one had recurrent cystocele., Conclusion: Laparoscopic colposuspension with tacks might produce shooting vaginal pain, possibly unique to tacks versus staples or sutures.

Background: Vaginal vault rupture with intestinal herniation, although rare, is a recognized postoperative complication of vaginal and abdominal hysterectomies. The incidence after laparoscopic hysterectomy is unknown., Cases: Three women, ages 40-43 years, presented to the emergency room with bleeding and pain 2-5 months after total laparoscopic hysterectomy. The small bowel was visible through the introitus or protruding into the vagina. Inspection of the bowel revealed no evidence of trauma. Two vaginal cuff repairs were completed transvaginally and one laparoscopically, all with interrupted sutures of no. 0 polydioxanone or polyglactin. In follow-up period of 12-17 months, the patients were doing well., Conclusion: Total laparoscopic hysterectomy may be associated with an increased risk of vaginal vault evisceration. Because laparoscopy increasingly is used to replace abdominal hysterectomy, it is important to be aware of this complication and its management.

Background: The management of vaginal human papillomavirus (HPV) lesions may be difficult. We report an unusual long-term consequence of treatment., Case: A 40-year-old woman presented with vaginal adenosis following treatment of multiple vaginal condylomata by endovaginal applications of 5% 5-fluorouracil cream and vaporization of the remaining subclinical condylomata by CO2 laser., Conclusion: The approach to the management of vaginal condylomatosis should take into consideration the possible later occurrence of adenosis.

This report describes a spontaneous vaginal vault prolapse in association with massive evisceration following sacrospinous vaginal vault fixation. Careful attention to surgical technique is critical to the success of the operation. In particular, good apposition of the vaginal vault to the sacrospinous ligament and adequate repair of an enterocele should avoid this complication.

Data are presented from 97 patients treated for invasive primary epithelial carcinoma of the vagina between 1950 and 1980. The disease is primarily one of the elderly as 63% were found to be older than 60 years of age. Eleven of the 97 patients either refused or were unable to complete treatment because of poor medical condition or advanced stage of disease. Combined external and intracavitary radiation was the most common form of treatment. The overall two-year survival rate was 47%, or 59% when corrected for deaths due to other causes. Patients with stages I and II disease had corrected survival rates of 75% and 68%, respectively. Our results indicate that stage of disease is the most significant prognostic factor. Optimal results will be obtained with early diagnosis and individualized treatment.

This paper examines the role of vasoconstrictors, specifically epinephrine, as an etiologic factor in the impairment of the host's defense mechanism. One hundred patients were injected circumferentially around the cervix with a dilute solution of epinephrine before vaginal hysterectomy; these patients were compared to a control group of 100 patients injected in the same manner with a normal saline solution. This randomized prospective study shows that vasoconstrictors significantly predisposed the vaginal cuff surgical site to infection compared to the matched control group. This study shows also that the use of a vasoconstrictor did not significantly reduce blood loss. Based on these data, it is recommended that a locally injected vasoconstrictor not be used during vaginal hysterectomy.

Colposcopically visible alterations of the vaginal mucosa associated with the use of tampons have been identified. These include mucosal drying, epithelial layering, and microulcerations. The pathophysiology of these transient changes appears to involve fluid transfer with subsequent impairment of intercellular bridges and loss of cell coherence. Tampon products containing superabsorbents are significantly more likely to produce microulcerations than are conventional tampons when worn at times other than during active menstruation. Chronic production of these alterations could lead to clinically obvious lesions of the vagina, and should now be considered in the differential diagnosis of vaginal ulcers.

Ten cases of vaginal ulcers collected from private gynecologic practices over a 1-year period are presented. The lesions were associated with the prolonged continuous use of vaginal tampons, and all were benign. Nine lesions healed spontaneously when tampon usage was halted. In addition, a similar foreign body consisting of birefractile fibers was found in the biopsies of 4 of these patients. Patient profiles and pathologic findings are described. It is suggested that prolonged continuous tampon usage is associated with the development of vaginal ulcers, and conservative management is recommended.

Twenty-three patients with vaginismus were seen in a Sexual Dysfunction Program over five years. Twenty of these patients continued in therapy and had successful outcomes. Length of therapy was analyzed and seen to be related to the following factors: duration of the dysfunction, and patient's conception of the etiology of the problem, history of previous attempts at operative treatment, motivational factors, the husband's degree of acceptance of the unconsummated marriage, previous organic abnormalities, extent of sexual knowledge, fear of sexually transmitted diseases, parental attitudes regarding sex, and the patient's attitude toward her genitalia. Follow-up of one to four years has revealed maintenance of sexual functioning in 95% of the couples. The three patients who dropped out and were considered failures all had had previous operative therapy and would not relinquish the idea that there was an anatomic abnormality causing their dysfunction. The method of therapy is reviewed.

Continuous real-time ultrasound was used to assist drainage of two infected posthysterectomy vaginal cuff hematomas. This method enabled the gynecologist to determine the position either of his finger or of the instrument in the cavity at all times. This allowed him to see that any loculations within the infected hematoma were broken down, and a draining Foley catheter was placed in a good position. The position of the ultrasound transducer on the anterior abdominal wall did not compromise the surgical field in any way.

A case of genital involvement with epidermolysis bullosa is described. Scarring led to vaginal obstruction and hematometra. The classification and treatment of this rare disorder are discussed.

To determine the incidence of vaginal mucosal alterations associated with the use of digitally inserted tampons, 100 women were prospectively evaluated colposcopically for three consecutive menstrual cycles. Three groups of 20 women each used the regular, super, and super-plus sizes of a digitally inserted rayon and cotton tampon; two additional groups of 20 each used external sanitary protection or an applicator-inserted rayon polyacrylate tampon. Vaginal mucosal drying and layering were significantly more common in all tampon users than in pad users; vaginal mucosal ulceration was a more rare event, seen only in tampon users, and statistically more commonly in the rayon polyacrylate group. The incidence of these alterations was not related to the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. All ulcerations healed without treatment. The common occurrence and relatively benign nature of these changes are discussed in view of the concern that these changes might predispose a woman to developing toxic shock syndrome.

Forty-three cases of primary vaginal squamous cell cancer were treated at the University of Wisconsin Hospital between 1956 and 1971. These cases comprised 1.2% of patients admitted to the University Hospital with female genital tract cancer. Evidence is presented to support a modification of the currently accepted FIGO staging system for vaginal carcinoma (Stage II disease). Radiation therapy using both external beam and brachyradium equivalents or interstitial implantation of suitable isotopes was an effective method for the treatment of patients having early and locally advanced invasive vaginal cancer. The 5-year absolute survival rate for the entire series was 37.2%. Absolute survival rate by modified FIGO clinical staging was 66% for Stages I and IIA, 31% for Stage IIB, 25% for Stage III, and 0% for Stage IV.

Urinary tract fistulas resulting from severe trauma or pelvic irradiation are often associated with extensive tissue loss, scar formation, and fibrosis. Two cases, one with a urethro-vaginal fistula secondary to trauma and one with a vesico-vaginal fistula secondary to irradiation, are presented. In neither case could the bladder, urethra, or vagina be repaired primarily. Using a bulbocavernosus myocutaneous "island" flap, the fistulas were successfully repaired. The anatomy of the graft and the operative procedure are described. This new procedure should be considered in urinary tract fistulas in which there is extensive tissue loss and scarring.

Gynecologic manifestations of the clinicopathologic syndrome known as graft-versus-host disease seen in 5 patients treated with allogeneic bone transplantation are presented. The clinical symptoms and significant problems found in association with graft-versus-host disease may include extensive sclerosing vaginitis and stricture formation. Treatment and possible preventive therapy are discussed.

We describe a woman with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a life-threatening form of erythema multiforme characterized by bullae formation, extensive mucosal damage, and systemic toxicity, and known to be triggered by various drugs, infections, ingestants, or contactants. Serious complications have been reported in most body systems, including cases of permanent damage to the urogenital tract. Three methods of surgical treatment for severe vaginal complications, depending on the degree of vaginal mucosal damage, are described, including the successful treatment of our patient, who had vaginal adenosis, endometriosis, and severe stenosis from this disease. Methods of therapy are presented for possible prevention of severe vaginal sequelae from Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

An unusual case of a patient diagnosed as having the histiocytic proliferative disorder characterized by the lesion eosinophilic granuloma (histiocytosis X) is presented. Fifteen-year follow-up revealed a progression from a solitary eosinophilic granuloma of the bone to multifocal involvement of many body structures including the vulva, vagina, and cervix. This progression occurred after nine asymptomatic years and was temporally related to the patient's first pregnancy. After successful treatment and remission, rapid appearance and growth of observable genital lesions were noted during a second pregnancy. Pregnancy termination in the first trimester was advised due to signs of dissemination and local symptoms.

A pregnancy complicated by vaginal stenosis six years after diagnosis of Stevens-Johnson syndrome is described. The pathologic changes in the vagina have not previously been reported. The basic pathology of severe mucosal erythema multiforme was present, as well as ectasia of the superficial capillaries and small venules. The effect of the vaginal scars on the mode of delivery is discussed.

Vaginal reconstruction was performed in 14 patients who had developed vaginal stenosis secondary to extensive pelvic fibrosis after pelvic radiation therapy (12 patients) or prior vaginal reconstruction (2 patients). Sixteen procedures were performed using a split-thickness skin graft. All patients had satisfactory vaginal restoration, and 12 patients reported good vaginal function. No fistula developed as a result of the operative procedure, but one patient later developed a rectovaginal fistula resulting from tumor recurrence. Successful vaginal reconstruction can be achieved even years after initial therapy in patients who develop an obliterated vagina from previous radiation or surgery.