Severe cosmetic surgical complications of the labia minora.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Gynecologists need resources related to labia minora, severe cosmetic surgical complications currently unavailable in the medical literature. Women's requests for genital cosmetic surgery significantly increased within the last two decades; however, the medical literature does not report severe complications and their causes. Therefore, the author hypothesizes that currently used surgical concepts for labia minora reduction are partially responsible for cosmetic surgical debilitating complications. This clinical research aims to present photo documentation of severe surgical complications associated with various cosmetic surgical interventions.

DESIGNED: A prospective case series study was conducted in a single gynecologic corrective surgical practice to show different debilitating symptoms associated with labia minora cosmetic surgery. Primary data sources were obtained from direct clinical examinations. Secondary data sources were acquired from scientific-clinical and psychological medical literature articles, websites, medical records, procedure reports, statistical data, and recommendations. Data collection was done prospectively, and data analysis performed retrospectively included variable clinical observations and the severity of symptoms related to different surgical technique concepts.

INTERVENTION: Patients were exposed to medical interviews, examinations, discussions, and validated questionnaires. In addition, an analysis of commonly used surgical cosmetic intervention concepts scrutinized (labia minora amputation, central wedge resection, and labial delamination).

SETTINGS: The single practice center for corrective cosmetic surgery.

PATIENTS: The study's sample size was 110 women with severe cosmetic surgical complications of labia minora.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome measures the prior cosmetic surgical intervention outcomes of the labia minora, and the secondary outcome measures the occurrence of symptoms. Procedure duration was measured from the initial incision to the last suture placement. The follow-up study was conducted at a one-year interval for three years. The labia minora cosmetic severe complications were associated in 76 % with labial amputation, 21% with central wedge resection, and 3% with modified delamination. The most common symptomatic complication in labia minora amputation was over-resection. In all subjects, debilitating physical pain, neurological pain, psychological disorders, and sexual dysfunction were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Current labia minora cosmetic surgical concepts contribute to severe surgical complications with debilitating physical, emotional, and sexual dysfunction.