Three-dimensional Printer Molds for Vaginal Agenesis: An Individualized Approach as Conservative Treatment

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of vaginal molds, made with three-dimensional (3D) printing, for conservative treatment through vaginal dilation in patients with vaginal agenesis (VA).

Methods A total of 16 patients with a diagnosis of VA (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, total androgen insensitivity syndrome, and cervicovaginal agenesis) from the Federal University of São Paulo were selected. Device production was performed in a 3D printer, and the polymeric filament of the lactic polyacid (PLA) was used as raw material. A personalized treatment was proposed and developed for each patient.

Results There were 14 patients who reached a final vaginal length of 6 cm or more. The initial total vaginal length (TVL) mean (SD) was 1.81(1.05) and the final TVL mean (SD) was 6.37 (0.94); the difference, analyzed as 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 4.56 (5.27–3.84) and the effect size (95% CI) was 4.58 (2.88–6.28).

Conclusion The 3D printing molds for vaginal dilation were successful in 87.5% of the patients. They did not present any major adverse effects and offered an economical, accessible, and reproducible strategy for the treatment of VA.

Resumo

Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso de moldes dilatadores vaginais, confeccionados com impressão tridimensional (3D), para tratamento conservador através da dilatação vaginal em pacientes com agenesia vaginal (AV).

Métodos Foram selecionadas 16 pacientes com diagnóstico de AV (síndrome de Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser, síndrome de insensibilidade androgênica total e agenesia cervicovaginal), da Universidade Federal de São Paulo. A produção dos dispositivos foi realizada em uma impressora 3D e, como matéria-prima, foi utilizado o filamento polimérico do poliácido lático (PLA). Um tratamento personalizado foi proposto e desenvolvido para cada paciente.

Resultados Quatorze pacientes atingiram um comprimento vaginal final (CVF) de 6 cm ou mais. A média inicial do CVF (DP) foi de 1,81 (1,05) e a média final do CVF (DP) 6,37 (0,94); a diferença (IC 95%) foi de 4,56 (5,27–3,84) e o tamanho do efeito (IC 95%) foi de 4,58 (2,88–6,28).

Conclusão Os moldes de impressão 3D para dilatação vaginal obtiveram sucesso em 87,5% das pacientes. Como impacto secundário, não apresentaram efeitos adversos importantes e ofereceram uma estratégia econômica, acessível e reprodutível para o tratamento da AV.

Keywords

3D printing - Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome - vaginal agenesis - vaginal dilation

Palavras-chave

impressão 3D - síndrome de Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser - agenesia vaginal - dilatação vaginal

Contributions

MSF contributed to project development, data collection, and writing the manuscript; CCTN contributed to project development and proofreading/editing the manuscript; TTBC and GVM proofread/ edited the manuscript; MJBCG contributed to project development and proofreading/editing the manuscript; MGFS contributed to project development and proofreading/editing the manuscript.

Publication History

Received: 22 April 2022

Accepted: 14 June 2022

Article published online:
22 September 2022

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