Star nymphoplasty: a surgical technique for labia minora hypertrophy

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

In recent years, women have been frequently consulting the plastic surgeon concerning the shape and dimensions of the labia minora and other surrounding structures, not only for aesthetic but also functional reasons, e.g., dyspareunia. The authors present a technique for the aesthetic and functional treatment of the external female genitalia, the vulva, with the purpose of correcting hypertrophy of the labia minora (nymphs), without changing their form.

Method:

This technique consists in the incision in the shape of a star leading to a shortening of nymphs both anteroposteriorly and craniocaudally. This is a 15-year retrospective study, with clinical and surgical follow-up of 64 female patients with an age range between 14 and 58 years, all submitted to star nymphoplasty, the technique proposed in this study.

Results:

The results were obtained from the patients operated from January 1996 to December 2011, at the Hospital da Lagoa and at Interclínica-Centroplástica, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro, RJ. A high rate of patient satisfaction with the size and aesthetic shape of the genitalia was achieved. There was a low rate of complications and remaining complaints.

Conclusion:

This surgical procedure is done with the objective of reshaping the tissue structure of the hypertrophic labia minora. From a technical point of view, it can be considered as a simple and effective functional and aesthetic treatment of the female genitalia.

Keywords:
Nymphoplasty; Labiaplasty; Star incision; Intimate surgery; Hypertrophy of the labia minora