Aesthetic and functional male to female genital and perineal surgery: feminizing vaginoplasty.

Male to female transsexuals frequently seek feminizing vaginoplasty for "below the waist" conformation, enhancement of sexual identity, and interactive sexual function. The author shares his experience with his first 250 primary surgical procedures. Included is a brief historical background, the patient selection process, some guidelines from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (standards of care), preoperative evaluation and instructions, surgical technique, postoperative regimen, risk factors, results, complications and management. The patients all underwent feminizing vaginoplasty at the author's ambulatory surgical facility, which includes an overnight stay. The author's results suggest that feminizing vaginoplasty when performed vigilantly on a select group of patients is feasible.