[Male to female sex reassignment surgery with a new surgical simulation device using a human perfused cadaver SIMLIFE®: New paradigm in transsexual surgery education ?]

INTRODUCTION

In 2015, we reported our experience with the learning curve in genital reassignment surgery and highlighted a four-step learning concept.

CLINICAL CASE

In this article, we present our first vaginoplasty performed on a humanoid model SIMLIFE®, a human body associated with a pulsating circulation device and a ventilation device.

RESULTS

The surgical technique included 14 steps. The total surgical time was 182minutes. There was no intraoperative complication, and there was no damage to the urethra or rectum. The intraoperative bleeding measured by the loss of operative fluid was 280mL. We discuss the advantages of this technology perfectly adapted to transsexual surgery.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated the feasibility of vaginoplasty performed on a humanoid model SIMLIFE® and highlighted improvement of the surgical skills with this model. This technology could find many other surgical applications. However, it faces cost constraints and legislation on corpses.