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Dr. Tom Lyons Advocates
Creation of Neo-Vagina in MRKH Patients Six Weeks Before Sexual Activity
Commences
MRKH Conference
for Teens & Their Families 10/25/08 in Boston
"The best time
for women who haven't developed a vagina to experience a
minimally-invasive corrective procedure for female anatomy is about six
to eight weeks before they become sexually active," said Thomas L.
Lyons, M.D., of the Center for Women's Care & Reproductive Surgery.
"Sexual activity and intercourse are the best dilators in the world," he
added. "Many young women are exploring sexual identity around age 17, so
it's important to be aware of their options before then."
A number of options will be discussed at the third MRKH Conference for
Teens & Their Families on Saturday October 25, 2008, at Children's
Hospital Boston. This conference is an opportunity for young women
ages 12-22 who have been diagnosed with MRKH, and their families to come
together for education and support. Participants meet other young women
and their families in a safe, comfortable environment.
Success Story Often Includes Healthy Ovaries
The Center for Women's Care & Reproductive Surgery was the first in
the U.S. to offer in 2005 a minimally invasive solution for the rare
anomaly, MRKH Syndrome, or failure of vaginal development, with the
laparoscopic creation of a "Neo-Vagina."
One patient in her mid-thirties experienced the procedure in February
and married in April, 2008. Dr. Lyons performed ultrasound, gaining
access to view her normal ovaries through her new vagina. She will
probably be able to have her own eggs removed, then experience a
surrogate pregnancy and the birth of her own genetic children.
"It is a really joyous moment to see the happy looks on my patients'
faces when we discover how well these possibilities are coming
together," said Dr. Lyons.
New, Proven Procedure vs. Old, Painful Approach
Dr. L.V. Adamyan developed the procedure in 1993. The
laparoscopy-assisted technique for colpopoesis (creation of the
neovagina), uses the pelvic peritoneum after Davydov (1978). This
minimally invasive technique is far easier on the patient than the
widely used and significantly invasive MacIndoe split thickness skin
graft procedure, which can be horribly painful and involve a lengthy
recovery of several months.
"It is unfortunate that many women have these extremely invasive
procedures," said Dr. Lyons.
"Many academic centers still use the old way, which involves stretching
skin over a glass tube stent and a great deal of 'hope' that the tissue
will re-vascularize (grow new blood vessels) and stay healthy," he said.
The laparoscopic procedure involves only tiny incisions and is performed
in less than an hour. More than one thousand of them have been
performed worldwide, proving their efficacy.
The procedure allows achievement of adequate functional vaginal length
and elasticity, and the peritoneal epithelium (cellular layer that lines
the walls of the abdominal cavity) converts into normal vaginal
epithelium within three months after surgery.
Laparoscopic pioneer Dr. Lyons and his associate Assia A. Stepanian,
M.D., learned the technique firsthand from its author, and they are the
only U.S. surgeons with experience in laparoscopic correction of MRKH
syndrome using the pelvic peritoneum.
Problem Often Undetected Until Puberty
Up to a half million women in the U.S. are born with anomalies of
the urinary and reproductive system. In females thousands of these
mullerian anomalies, including the absence of a vagina, may not be
discovered until the girl reaches puberty.
MRKH (Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser) syndrome includes failure of the
vaginal development, whether or not the uterus is present. Adolescent
girls with MRKH syndrome and obstruction defects may complain that they
have not begun menstruation, labeled primary amenorrhea.
In some cases, female patients have discovered their anomaly after
inability to have intercourse because of an absent vagina. For many,
multiple painful attempts of intercourse have led to distortion of
existing external genital structures and scarring of the area, as well
as chronic pelvic pain.
Kristina Henry of Texas had experienced a procedure similar to the
MacIndoe in her teen years, and it ultimately failed. In her 30s she
found the Center for Women's Care and experienced the minimally invasive
procedure. She wants people to recognize that it the issue is more than
physical; it is mental, emotional and spiritual as well.
Dr. Lyons' advanced skills in laparoscopy and/or hysteroscopy can
correct the majority of mullerian anomalies, as well as a wide spectrum
of treatments for pelvic pain and endometriosis.
After researching the Internet and discovering the Center for Women's
Care at
http://www.thomasllyons.com, patients come to Dr. Lyons from
around the world for advanced laparoscopic techniques.
Contact Dr. Lyons toll-free at 888-545-0400 or in Atlanta metro area at
770-352-0037. Offices are also in Lake Oconee and Blue Ridge, Georgia.
Email the Center for Women's Care
Center for Women's Care &
Reproductive SurgeryŠ 2006
1140 Hammond Drive, Suite
F6230
Atlanta, Georgia 30328.
Copyright 2005
Toll Free 1 (888) 545-0400
Metro Atlanta (770) 352-0037
This page last updated
08/17/2009
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