[Functional or aesthetic labia minora reduction: Complications, revision surgeries and results - a comparative study]

Gynecol Obstet Fertil Senol. 2019 Apr;47(4):330-336. doi: 10.1016/j.gofs.2019.02.004. Epub 2019 Feb 14.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare the complications, the rate of revision surgeries and the long-term patient postoperative satisfaction level for the two main indications of labia minora reduction: aesthetic or functional.

Methods: A comparative, retrospective and multicentered study was carried out in Belfort and Montbéliard hospitals between January 2010 and January 2017. Ninety-two primary labia minora reductions for labia minora hypertrophy have been listed. Each patient has been requested to fill in a questionnaire about the main indication of labiaplasty, any potential complication, a revision surgery and her level of the satisfaction. Patients who had agreed to respond were divided into two groups: a "functional indication" group (FI) and an "aesthetic indication" group (AI).

Results: Thirty-seven patients (40%) answered the survey: 19 (51%) have been included in the FI group and the remaining 18 (49%) in the AI group. The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 3.2 years. We identified 13 patients (35%) who encountered a postoperative complication. It predominates in the FI group (53% versus 17%, P=0.04). Seven patients (19%) were treated by revision surgeries. All of them belonged to the IF group. Whatever the indication of the labiaplasty, 86% of the patients have been satisfied by the outcomes.

Conclusion: A labia minora reduction is a highly appreciated surgical treatment on the long term whatever the initial surgical indication. However, postoperative complications and revision surgeries are not negligible especially when the main indication is functional.

Keywords: Complication; Hypertrophie; Labia minora; Labia minora reduction; Labial hypertrophy; Labiaplasty; Nymphoplastie; Petites lèvres; Reprise chirurgicale; Revision surgery.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Esthetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Satisfaction / statistics & numerical data*
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Reoperation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vulva / pathology
  • Vulva / surgery*
  • Young Adult