Can 3D Modeling Enhance Patient Understanding, Education, and Surgical Outcomes in Gender Affirming Peritoneal Vaginoplasty?

Overview

The project aims to address both clinical and relational gaps in transgender surgical care by improving understanding, communication, and outcomes through this novel integration of personalized 3D technology. The hypothesis is that using 3D models of patient specific anatomy will enhance patient understanding and education into how peritoneal vaginoplasty is done, while also improving surgical planning and therefore outcomes by decreasing OR time and reducing complication rates. The investigators seek to foster stronger physician-patient relationships by improving communication and shared decision-making, ultimately helping transgender patients feel more empowered, engaged, and willing to seek care in the future.

To accomplish our objectives there will be two phases to our study: a retrospective feasibility phase, and a prospective survey study with concurrent use of 3D printed patient models for surgical planning. In the retrospective feasibility phase, a chart review from 3/1/2024 - 3/31/2025 of those who have already undergone peritoneal vaginoplasty will be completed to identify those who have had a previous CT Abdomen/ Pelvis scan. Data that will be collected from this cohort includes patient sex assigned at birth, gender, age, past surgical history, and imaging. The identification of imaging is not standard of care, and being done for research purposes only. The images from those scans will be used to print 3D models of patient anatomy. Using the CT scans exported as DICOM files, images will be viewed and rendered into 3D space using software Bambu Studio. The files from Bambu will then be exported as an STL file which will allow Autodesk Fusion software to clean the images prior to printing. No patient identifiers will be used when using the 3D modeling software. No patient identifiers will be used when using the 3D modeling software. Multiple models will be printed to determine optimal visualization and use for future surgical planning. In the prospective survey study, the investigators will distribute one electronic survey via RedCap to patients who have been identified through the Trans CARE Clinic with the below stated inclusion criteria. The patients will be introduced to the study via recruitment email. If the patient agrees to participate in the study and completes the consent form via e-consent, a 3D model will be used to educate the patient on the steps of peritoneal vaginoplasty procedure, complications, and anatomy at their next clinic visit appointment. At their clinic visit, they will be reminded that this 3D model is part of the study they have consented to. Once their appointment has been completed, they will then be redirected to the RedCap Survey .