Suporn Watanyusakul

Editor-In-Chief: Michel C. Samson, M.D., FRCSC, FACS [mailto:samsonm1@ccf.org]

Overview
Suporn Watanyusakul is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Chonburi Province, Thailand. He is considered by some to be a world leader in surgical procedures for transsexual people, namely facial feminization surgery and sex reassignment surgery male-to-female.

Watanyusakul's form of vaginoplasty has been referred to as the Suporn technique. Dr. Suporn's method is quite different from the typical sexual reassignment surgery because he does not use a penile inversion method. Instead, Suporn constructs the vaginal canal with scrotal skin and uses the penile tissues for a labia, clitoris, and other external features. A full thickness inguinal (groin crease) skin graft is used for the vaginal lining in cases where inadequate scrotal skin is available. Dr. Suporn's method generally yields a deeper neovagina than the more standard penile inversion technique.

The scrotal tissue is very oestrogen absorbent; to a certain extent the oestrogen you take through HRT is collected and secreted through the vaginal lining. In addition, some natural secretion will also occur from the prostate gland. Finally, during SRS Dr Suporn always retains the Cowper’s gland or bulbourethral gland. In non-genetic females this bulbourethral gland is responsible for the thin, colourless lubricating fluid that is secreted during sexual arousal, which also adds to the natural lubrication.