SURGICAL CORRECTION OF LABIA MINORA HYPERTROPHY, A PERSONAL TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Background. Labia minora hypertrophy is a congenital or acquired condition in which both labia minora (or more rarely only one) protrude beyond the edge of the labia majora. The authors present a surgical technique of volumetric reduction of hypertrophic labia minora, associated with lipofilling of the labia majora. Methods. Between 2005 and 2014, 27 patients underwent surgical reduction of labia minora, as described by Altier and Rouzier. The indications for surgical treatment varied and were as follows: interference with sexual intercourse; poor hygiene; difficulty wearing tight-fitting pants; difficulty while performing sporting activities such as cycling; aesthetic complaints. The surgical resection was associated with fat graft injection in labia majora in order to protect and cover the labia minora. The mean follow up was 1 year. Results. The labia majora, increased in volume and firmness, cover and protect the labia minora slightly hypertrophic or surgically reduced. All patients reported an improvement in comfort, aesthetic appearance, when wearing close-fitting clothes and an improvement in their sexuality. In one case we recorded a “recurrence”, with an increase of dimensions in width of labia minora, still lower than the preoperative situation but greater than the immediate postop. Conclusions. The reduction of labia minora hypertrophy with conservative techniques allows achieving excellent results in terms of aesthetics and functionality. The simple lipofilling of labia majora allows preserving and protecting the labia minora through a volumetric increase of the labia majora.