Composite reduction labiaplasty.

BACKGROUND: The demand for surgery to treat the external female genital area has increased significantly in recent years. Since 2001, the author and his colleagues have performed more than 2,100 surgical procedures to enhance the shape and function of the female genital area. The majority of these procedures were aimed at reduction of the labia minora. Drawing on the technique for labia minora reduction (labiaplasty) that the author first described in 2007 (Gress S, Gynäkologisch-Geburtshilfliche Rundschau 47:23-32, 2007), the technique was advanced such that in addition to an even reduction of the labia over their entire length (i.e., not only the part below the clitoris but also the part of the clitoral hood and above), it currently is possible to achieve further tightening of the clitoral hood and correction of a protruding clitoris (clitoral protrusion). This technique creates separate labial segments, the composition of which allows for an optimal shaping and reduction of the labia minora. Since 2006, the author and his colleagues have managed 812 cases using this technique, which has been named "composite reduction labiaplasty."

METHODS: After removal of the excessive tissue in an S-shaped line along the internal and external aspects of the labium minus and after cutting of a cranial pedicle flap approximately 2-3 cm long (seen as the caudal extension of the clitoral hood), a crescent-shaped skin segment below the clitoris and a centrally pointed rectangular skin segment above the clitoral hood are removed. By joining the wound margins, a tightening and balanced reduction of the labia minora as well as a correction for the protruding tip of the clitoris (clitoral protrusion) is achieved.

RESULTS: All the patients received postoperative care and follow-up assessments during a period of 6 months. Except for a few cases of wound dehiscence requiring surgical correction, wound healing was without complications, and the outcomes were both aesthetically and functionally very satisfactory.

CONCLUSION: In contrast to most techniques published to date, the "composite reduction labiaplasty" technique ensures a balanced reduction and a tightening of all parts of the labia minora, especially in the region of the clitoral hood. In addition, this technique results in an optimal correction of clitoris positioning in cases of clitoral protrusion. Concerns regarding impairment of sexual sensation or the ability to be sexually stimulated are unfounded. Approximately 35 % of the patients even reported a postoperative increase in their ability to be sexually stimulated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .