A transgender woman in Brazil is the first in the world to undergo successful vaginal constructive surgery using fish skin.

Maju, 35, qualified for the surgery this year after complications from a botched sex reassignment surgery in 1999. After a decade, the opening of her constructed vagina became narrower, and eventually collapsed.

Last month, Maju underwent the surgery performed by gynaecologist Professor Leonardo Bezerra, from the Federal University of Ceara (UFC) in Fortaleza, Brazil.

The patient told Brazilian news agency FocusOn the procedure has restored her self-esteem, and allowed her the opportunity to have sex again.

"I'm absolutely thrilled with the result," she told the newspaper, three weeks after the surgery.

"For the first time in my life I feel complete and like a real woman."