Characterization of Pediatric Female Genital Trauma Using a Novel Grading System and Recommendations for Management

There is no standardized grading system for pediatric female genital trauma (PFGT), so patients may have over-utilization of resources relative to injury severity. We described current treatment patterns and outcomes at a high-volume trauma center, developed a novel PFGT grading system, and proposed algorithm for management of PFGT.

We retrospectively reviewed female patients <19 years presenting with genital trauma to our Level 1 pediatric trauma center between 1/2018-12/2022. A novel grading system developed by pediatric surgery and pediatric gynecology was retrospectively applied to injuries. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, types of intervention, and need for anesthesia were recorded. Outcomes were compared between grades of injury with Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Among 353 patients, median age was 6.4 years. Half of patients had grade 1 or 2 injuries, of which 6% required suture repair. 15% of patients had grade 5 or 6 injuries, 75% of whom required suture repair. General anesthesia was used for 83% of all patients undergoing repair. 18% of patients who underwent general anesthesia did not need suture repair. Of patients who were brought to the operating room, median operative duration varied by grade and was 15.0 min for all injuries, 7.0 min for both grade 1 and 2 injuries, and 22.0 and 37.0 min for grade 5 and 6 injuries, respectively (p < 0.0001).

Based on our novel grading system, we propose an algorithm for managing PFGT. Grade 1 and 2 injuries rarely require suture repair and can often be managed without surgical consultation. We recommend surgical consultation for higher grade injuries, however given typically short operative times, repair with bedside sedation should be strongly considered when resources allow.

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