Labial reduction is term used to describe any surgical procedure that is intended to reduce size and volume of the labia minora.  Labia minora are small folds of thin and delicate skin on each side of actual vaginal introitus. They are about o.4 to 6.4cm in length in average. Anything over 5 to 6 cm defines labial hypertrophy and advocates correction if desired.

COMMON SYMPTOMS INCLUDE 

visibly larger labia.

Irritation, discomfort, pain.

Chronic vaginal infections.

Abnormal odor.

Difficulty in sexual penetration.

Many techniques have been devised to address the problem that includes:

De-epithelization which removes some tissue but doesn’t change thr shape.

Direct excision of some length.

Wedge resection.

Composite reduction.

Z-plasty, W-Plasty and laser labiaplasty are recent modifications.

Either general or Local anesthesia may be used but the former is preferred, Procedure takes about a couple of hours and most patients are discharged by next day. Postoperative care is important to optimize outcomes.

After the procedure the women must keep the area dry and clean, should wear loose underwear and clothes, avoid friction between wound and overlying clothes, and avoid sexual intercourse.

Labial reduction surgery is usually uneventful but complications do occur in a small number of patients including wound dehiscence(splitting), hematomas(collection of blood), chronic pain, unsightly scars, as well as flap necrosis.

Poor outcomes may need revision surgery.

The patient’s satisfaction rate with the appearance is usually high though no long term difference in improvement of sexual satisfaction following surgery noted.

Written by :  Dr. Faisal Akhlaq
Copyrights: Pakistan association of Plastic Surgeons