Management of transverse vaginal septum using the Olbert balloon catheter to mobilize the proximal vaginal mucosa and facilitate low anastomosis.

OBJECTIVE

To mobilize and make available for anastomosis the maximal amount of mucosa from the expanded upper vaginal tissue and avoid postoperative narrowing of the vagina.

DESIGN

Technique paper.

SETTING

Tertiary care medical center.

PATIENT(S): Patients with a hematocolpos due to transverse vaginal septum.

INTERVENTION(S): Pull through of proximal distended vagina using an Olbert balloon catheter.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): To avoid midvaginal narrowing due to retraction of the suture line in the surgical management of transverse vaginal septum with hematocolpos.

RESULT(S): High-pressure balloon expansion of the proximal hematocolpos optimizes the vaginal mucosa available for final anastomosis.

CONCLUSION(S): The use of a high-pressure dilatation balloon permits high intraballoon pressures that facilitate the surgical management of transverse vaginal septum and limit postoperative narrowing of the vagina.