[Hypertrophy of labia minora. A growing problem in adolescence]

Hypertrophy of labia minora in adolescence is a little known disease. However, the growing demand for the solution of this problem pushes us to include it in our clinical practice. We evaluated the aesthetic and functional results of labiaplasty using straight amputation of the protuberant tissue of the labial edges.

Patients treated by hypertrophy of labia minora were reviewed. We evaluated the results of aesthetic, functional and surgical complications. A survey on the degree of satisfaction was also conducted.

We collected 16 patients with 28 labioplasty, indicated by discomfort with the clothing and exercise. They were performed at a median age of 13.43 years (range 11.25-14.31). Bilateral 11 (64.7%), left 4 (23.5%) and rights 2 (11.8%). The median hospital stay was 1 day (range 1-3). There was evidence of immediate complications (partial dehiscence of the scar) in 1 (3.57%) patient and late complications in 2 (7.14%) patients (granuloma in the scar and recurrence), in a median follow up time of 1.58 years (range 0.19-7.76). The survey was answered by 13 patients. All of them said that preoperative discomfort was resolved. Postoperative discomfort (pain or straps) were nothing or very few in 61.54% and the median time of inconvenience was 5 days (range 1-30). They felt an improvement in self-esteem 69.23% and the 30.77% remaining never presented a problem about that. Median overall satisfaction was 8 (range 7-10) over 10, and the 100% of patients would repeat surgery.

The labiaplasty by straight amputation in adolescence is an effective technique with few complications, and with a high degree of satisfaction for patients.