Congenital Absence of the Vagina, Treated by Means of an Indwelling Skin-Graft

The patient now showv-n underwent an operation six months ago for the formation of an artificial vagina.She was referred to us by Mr. Chapman of Grimsby who, on examination, had found no trace of a vagina and advised her to come for treatment as the question of nubility had arisen.Examination, under an aniesthetic, revealed complete absence of the vagina, but a fairly well-formed vulva was present.On rectal examination a small knob was felt in the position of the uterus, but there was no trace of ovaries.The secondary characteristics were entirely feminine.Operation was decided upon and carried out on September 27, 1937, as follows:-A hollow vulcanite mould, completely closed at both ends, had been previously prepared by our dental colleague Mr. Alexander Kay, roughly the size and shape of a distended virgin vagina (fig.1).This was intended to carry the skin-graft and to