The Super Thin External Pudendal Artery (STEPA) Flap for Labia Minora Reconstruction in Gender-Affirming Vaginoplasties

In gender-affirming vaginoplasty, the ideal labia minora should be well-defined and separate from the labia majora, extend from the clitoral hood to form an elliptical framework around the vaginal introitus and urethral meatus, and be gently covered by the labia majora.1 Penile-inversion vaginoplasty (PIV) techniques, using a random-patterned flap of penile and scrotal skin for the minoraplasty, often fail to achieve a lasting, well-defined separation between the labia minora and majora, and vaginal vestibule.

Source: Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery - March 22, 2024 Category: Cosmetic Surgery Authors: Gabriel A. Del Corral, Brian L. Chang, Christian X. Lava Source Type: research