Kolkata: A 35-year-old woman born without an upper vagina and a uterus but with a functional ovary and female hormone is looking forward to a new leap in her life after she underwent a surgery through which doctors created a vaginal canal at Manipal Hospital, Salt Lake. The dietitian with a private healthcare unit is all set to tie the knot with her childhood beau in a couple of months.The woman was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, a rare congenital condition where a person is born with an absent or underdeveloped uterus and upper vagina, despite having normal ovaries and typical female development. Apart from the anomaly in her anatomy, the woman had a normal childhood, completing her school, college and professional course.But considering the stigma and the societal myths about children born with such an anomaly, her parents did not seek treatment initially. They took her to a doctor only at 17 when she did not menstruate. That is when doctors found that she also did not have a uterus.A successful dietitian, the woman started consulting doctors at Manipal Hospital, Salt Lake, a few months ago. Sources said her fiancé stood by her during the entire procedure.After a thorough briefing, the gynaecological laparoscopic surgery team comprising Abhinibesh Chatterjee and Polly Chatterjee decided to conduct a minimally invasive procedure. The surgery was conducted on Tuesday with anaesthesia support from anaesthesiologist Bharati Ray.Using an advanced laparoscopic technique, the team created a functional neovagina, a vaginal canal, without a large abdominal incision. The minimally invasive approach is intended to provide satisfactory vaginal length and function while facilitating faster recovery, less postoperative pain and minimal external scarring.Abhinibesh Chatterjee said, “MRKH syndrome can have a profound emotional and social impact on a young woman, particularly when she is approaching marriage. The objective of reconstructive surgery is not merely anatomical correction, but to help her enter this new phase of life with confidence.”While the woman was discharged two days post the procedure, doctors said she would be under regular follow-up for at least two months.Doctors said women with MRKH syndrome generally have normal ovaries and normal female hormonal development. Secondary sexual characteristics like breast and pubic hair development occur normally because the ovaries function properly.Since the uterus is absent, they cannot carry a pregnancy themselves; however, biological parenthood may be possible in selected cases using their own eggs through assisted reproductive techniques, subject to individual medical circumstances and applicable laws.
