Clitoral hoodplasty in females with disorders of sex development.

INTRODUCTION: The surgical management of girls with masculinized genitalia is gradually changing towards a more conservative approach. Reports on loss of clitoral sensitivity and related impairment of sexual function in women after feminizing genital surgery in childhood have been pivotal in this evolution. An exposed clitoral glans is occasionally seen at follow-up, and while patients may complain of aesthetics, no clitoral discomfort secondary to glans exposure has been reported. A technique has been developed to reconstruct the clitoral hood and the present study reports the preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES: To report the novel technique and preliminary results of clitoral hood reconstruction to cover an exposed glans after previous clitoroplasty in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six female patients (mean age 13, range 4-21 years) with CAH sought medical help for clitoral concerns after previous reduction clitoroplasty. In two of the six patients, the main complaint was clitoral hypersensitivity or even pain. The clitoral glans was completely exposed in all patients, who were subsequently treated with a bi-laminar V-Y clitoral hoodplasty to create a mobile and natural-looking clitoral hood composed of an inner and outer preputial skin layer.

RESULTS: Postoperative covering of the glans was complete in five patients, and partial in one. The two patients with pre-operative pain became asymptomatic; all six patients were pleased with the cosmetic postoperative results.

CONCLUSION: Clitoral hoodplasty provides simple, yet effective, relief for women with cosmetic concerns or clitoral discomfort after previous feminizing surgery.