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Congenital Müllerian Anomalies pp 43–54Cite as

Transverse Vaginal Septum

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Abstract

Transverse vaginal septa are a rare type of mullerian anomaly that results from failed fusion or canalization of the vaginal plate and the caudal end of the mullerian ducts. Septa are most commonly imperforate and manifest as primary amenorrhea, abdominal pain, and hematocolpos in adolescence. Perforate septa have a more variable presentation, usually associated with the foreshortened vagina and can present in adolescence or young adulthood. Proper diagnosis is made with clinical exam and imaging, usually Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Surgical management is highly dependent on the thickness and location of the septum and includes vaginal and abdominoperineal procedures. The patients’ age, developmental level, and ability to perform postoperative dilation should be considered when exploring surgical options, since prolonged dilation is often indicated in the postoperative period. Long-term complications include vaginal stenosis and re-obstruction, which may require repeat surgery. The risk of endometriosis increases with imperforate septa that are located higher in the vagina. There is limited data available on reproductive outcomes, but vaginal births have been reported.

Keywords

  • Mullerian anomaly
  • Transverse
  • Vaginal septum
  • Distal vaginal agenesis
  • Imperforate
  • Hematocolpos
  • Hematometra
  • Obstruction
  • Vaginal stenosis
  • Dilation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, SPC 5276, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Veronica I. Alaniz M.D., M.P.H. & Elisabeth H. Quint M.D.

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  1. Veronica I. Alaniz M.D., M.P.H.
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  2. Elisabeth H. Quint M.D.
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Correspondence to Elisabeth H. Quint M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA

    Samantha M. Pfeifer

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Alaniz, V.I., Quint, E.H. (2016). Transverse Vaginal Septum. In: Pfeifer, S. (eds) Congenital Müllerian Anomalies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27231-3_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27231-3_4

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