A new classification of labia minora hypertrophy and surgical methods

Abstract

Objective To introduce a method to classify the labia minora hypertrophy and to investigate its significance to the selection of surgical method. Methods From August 2014 to April 2018, 1 058 patients with labia minora hypertrophy were treated in the Plastic Surgery Hospital. According to the hyperplastic degree of the labia minora and praeputium clitoridis, the labia minora hypertrophy was classified to three types, namely simple clitoridis hypertrophy, simple labia minora hypertrophy and mixed type. For patients with simple labia minora hypertrophy, the methods of margin resection, or wedge resection or combination were applied. For patients with simple clitoridis hypertrophy, the reduction of clitoris hood could be performed. For mixed type, firstly the relationship of clitoris hood and labia minor should be recognized, then the appropriate surgical method should be taken. Results The age of the patients was 18 to 46 years (mean age was 25 years). 83 cases (7.8%) were simple labia minora hypertrophy. 25 cases (2.4%)were simple clitoridis hypertrophy. And 950 cases (89.8%) were mixed type. All the patients received appropriate surgical method to repair the malformation. All the surgeries were successfully performed and the cosmetic results were satisfying. Conclusions As the homologous tissues, whether praeputium clitoridis hypertrophy or labia minora hypertrophy could result poor appearance of female vulva. The concept of holism should be kept in mind when repair surgeries are performed. The labia minora hypertrophy was classified to three types and appreciate surgical methods were applied to repair the hypertrophy. The cosmetic result was satisfying. Key words: Labia minora; Prepuce of clitoris; Classification; Hypertrophy; Plastic surgery