A Prospective Evaluation of Female External Genitalia Sensitivity to Pressure following Labia Minora Reduction and Clitoral Hood Reduction (original) (raw)

2015, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

ne of the most common criticisms cited by both the lay public and medical professionals against labiaplasty (also referred to as labioplasty, simple partial vulvectomy, labia minora reduction, or nymphectomy) is the perceived loss of sensation (hypesthesia) and hypersensitivity along the labial edge. 1-6 Although the increase in or loss of labial sensitivity has been an argument against the procedure, there has not been a study to date to substantiate or disprove these assertions. Conversely, it has been the clinical experience of the lead author (O.J.P.), having performed over 500 labiaplasty procedures, that patients do not report long-term sensory loss or hypersensitivity. Furthermore, these patients report improved or unchanged sexual satisfaction. Of the various labia reduction procedures performed, it is difficult to determine the frequency of the exact techniques used. Reduction by resection of the labial edge, often referred to as the trim technique or despairingly as the "amputation method," has been criticized for clinically significant nerve damage as an unavoidable consequence. 7 Despite a lack of empirical evidence supporting this, alternative approaches to performing labiaplasty that preserve the edge and the sensory nerve endings have been described, including the wedge, modified V wedge, fenestration, Z-plasty, Disclosure: The authors have no disclosure to report and no funding was received to assist in the creation of this article.