Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy vs Standard Care in Transgender Women Undergoing Vaginoplasty for Gender Affirmation

This was a randomized double-blind study. Both subjects and the surgeon performing the surgery as well as the personnel administering questionnaires to patients postoperatively were blinded to the randomization.

Recruitment, Enrollment and Randomization

Patients scheduled to undergo vaginoplasty surgery at Cleveland Clinic Main campus were approached about voluntary participation in this study. This occurred over the phone approximately one to three months before their scheduled surgery. Patients who agreed to participate were sent a consent form via the mail and were asked to sign consent in person. Enrollment and randomization occurred following informed consent. All patients were given a copy of their signed and dated consent.

Once enrolled, patients were randomized into one of two groups:

• Postoperative PFPT
• No Postoperative PFPT

If patients were randomized into the Postoperative PFPT arm, they were further randomized into the following sub-arms:

• Postoperative PFPT alone
• Preoperative and Postoperative PFPT

Surgery:

All patients underwent vaginoplasty surgery by a single surgeon in a standard fashion. The neovaginal cavity was created using the same technique across all patients. Postoperative care was routine and the same for all patients.

Postoperative Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy:

There was three possible PFPT regimens. All PT regimens were performed by the same two physical therapists, trained in the management of patients who have undergone vaginoplasty surgery.

• No PFPT Patients were present to see the physical therapist 3 weeks postoperatively. The following interventions were performed: Subjective assessment of bowel and bladder function. Visual and external palpation and assessment of external pelvic floor region. Intravaginal pelvic floor assessment. Pelvic floor muscle dynamics and coordination assessment. Review of pelvic floor anatomy and function.
• Postoperative PFPT Only

Patients presented to the physical therapist 3 weeks and 6 weeks postoperatively. The following interventions were performed:

3 weeks:

• Subjective assessment of bowel and bladder function
• Visual and external palpation and assessment of external pelvic floor region
• Intravaginal pelvic floor assessment
• Pelvic floor muscle dynamics and coordination assessment
• Instruction of pelvic floor coordination and lengthening
• Discussion of dilator program and progression
• Home program with instructions

6 weeks:

• External scar assessment and treatment if tissue healing allows
• Instruction to patient of scar mobilizations
• Intravaginal pelvic floor assessment and treatment if indicated
• Review of pelvic floor lengthening and coordination
• Review and progression of dilator program if appropriate
• Assessment of current bowel/bladder symptoms; home program and instructions to address these symptoms

• Preoperative PFPT and Postoperative PFPT:

Patients presented to see the physical therapist 3 weeks before surgery, 3 weeks and 6 weeks postoperatively. The following interventions were performed:

Preoperative:

• Diaphragmatic breathing
• Discuss dilator positioning/introduce dilator program
• External pelvic floor assessment
• Teach pelvic floor coordination
• Assessment of current bowel/bladder symptoms; home program and instructions to address these symptoms

3 weeks:

• Subjective assessment of bowel and bladder function
• Visual and external palpation and assessment of external pelvic floor region
• Intravaginal pelvic floor assessment
• Pelvic floor muscle dynamics and coordination assessment
• Instruction of pelvic floor coordination and lengthening
• Discussion of dilator program and progression
• Home program with instructions

6 weeks:

• External scar assessment and treatment if tissue healing allows
• Instruction to patient of scar mobilizations
• Intravaginal pelvic floor assessment and treatment if indicated
• Review of pelvic floor lengthening and coordination
• Review and progression of dilator program if appropriate
• Assessment of current bowel/bladder symptoms; home program and instructions to address these symptoms

Study Questionnaires & Exams:

All patients were administered questionnaires preoperatively and 12 weeks postoperatively. The following questionnaires were administered:

Preoperatively:

• CRAD-8 and UDI-6
• PFIQ-7

Postoperatively 1 week (at the time of routine dilation teaching):

• Vaginal length (routine exam)

Postoperatively 12 weeks:

• CRAD-8 and UDI-6
• PFIQ-7
• PGI-I
• Ease of Passing Dilator (VAS 0-10)
• Pain with Dilation (VAS 0-10)
• Largest dilator size used
• Vaginal length (routine exam)

Cross-Over Treatment:

Any patients in the No PFPT arm who were determined to have pelvic floor dysfunction or symptoms that may have benefitted from PFPT referral, were referred after the 12-week mark. Any patient in one of the PFPT arms who was determined to still need PFPT for persistent pelvic floor dysfunction or symptoms were referred for continued care.

Inclusion criteria

• Age greater than or equal to 18 years of age
• Patients scheduled for full-depth vaginoplasty surgery

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to speak or comprehend the English language
• Patients scheduled for no-depth vaginoplasty surgery
• Patients who have undergone previous PFPT
• Patients who are s/p prostatectomy or treatment for prostate cancer