| INVASIVE SURGERY | ARTICLE
LABIAPLASTY:
AN IMPROVEMENT TO THE TECHNIQUE
Erri Cippini and Marianna Cippini review the range of techniques
available to perform this procedure, and suggest their most trusted and effective way in which to perform labiaplasty
ABSTRACT A growing interest in aesthetic surgery to the external genitalia has led to an increase in new practitioners in the field, as well as an increase in the number of patients requesting such procedures. Surgery of the ‘intimate’ is of interest to both genders, but the focus of this article will refer to females. There are a number of fields of interest in this area: labia minora plasty, clitoral unhooding, and hymenoplasty for example. This article will focus on labia minora plasty (labiaplasty), within which the authors have attempted to revise the literature in the field, arguing that advances to the technique have been relatively limited. This has led to a discussion of the technique that the authors believe is the easiest and most successful to perform, and that the lead author performs on a regular basis.
rejuvenation, minor vaginal lip reduction, or labia minora plasty. Hodgkinson and Hait1
H were the first
to publish a description of ÔaestheticÕ vaginal labia minora plasty, and Davison2
revised techniques the present article draws on. In fact, a range of techniques have
been adopted, often offering a simple longitudinal amputation of the
is one of the authors whose
YPERTROPHY OF THE LABIA minora is the disproportionate growth of the labia minora in relation to the labia majora. Treatment for this condition can be referred to as labia minora reduction, labia minora
complete free outer margin of the labia minora (leaving an irregular outer inferior border of the labia minora), or a triangular amputation of either the lower third or two thirds of the labia minora (leaving only the superior part of the labia minora covering the clitoris, with a very ugly appearance). Both kinds of surgery are also complicated by a decrease in sensitivity to the area and, in some cases by paraesthesia.
Anatomy The external female genitalia are referred as the vulva. The vulva includes the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and openings of the urethra and vagina. The labia minora comprise two folds of skin covering
The external
female genitalia are referred as the vulva.
The vulva includes the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and
connective tissue, with little or no adipose tissue. The right labia minora joins the left labia minora anteriorly and superiorly, towards the clitoris, where the two skin folds divide in two parts: one covering the clitoris to form the prepuce, and the other forming the frenulum beneath it. Posteriorly, the two labia minora join together forming the fourchette (i.e. frenulum labiorum pudendi) near the vestibulum of the vaginal opening, and ending at the labia majora of each side. The labia minora are very rich in nerve endings and very sensitive to touch.
openings of the urethra and vagina.
Frequency and aetiology The frequency of labia minora hypertrophy is very difficult to
ERRI CIPPINI MD is Plastic Surgeon in private practice, and Professor at Medical Biotechnology Faculty of the University of Brescia; and MARIANNA CIPPINI is Student Midwife, University School at the University of Brescia.
email: cippini@daysurgeryclinic. it
KEYWORDS labiaplasty, labia minora, de-epithelisation, aesthetic surgery
prime-journal.com | September 2012
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