Labiaplasty - Prima Center for Plastic Surgery demonstrates Evidence Based Results

PR Log (Press Release) – Feb 21, 2009 – The most common female genital aesthetic procedure is a labia minora reduction or labiaplasty.  A newly released statistical study from  the American Society of Plastic Surgeons emphasizes the growing popularity of labiaplasty surgery showing a   30% between 2005 and 2006 alone.  A labiaplasty, once an almost unknown procedure, is now a frequently requested  procedure.  The purpose of a  labiaplasty is to reduce balance the size of the labia minora  or inner vaginal lips.

There are many factors which have contributed to the rising popularity of a labiaplasty not the least of which is a growing understanding of large labia minora as a real problem with real symptoms.  In addition to being a purely aesthetic problem may women complain of some degree of discomfort in tight clothing as well as during exercise and sexual activity.  An abnormally large labia can also be a hygienic problem causing constant irritation.  Thanks to recent media coverage the demand and request for the procedure is on the rise.  
Dr. Zwiren received exceptional training during both his general surgical years and plastic surgery fellowship in performing sexual reassignment surgery as well as the full spectrum of urogenital reconstruction.  Dr.  Zwiren no longer performs sexual reassignment surgery but his experience has been proven invaluable while performing labial reduction surgery and clitoral hood reduction.  

The first labiaplatsy  performed by Dr. Zwiren  was almost by chance.  A nurse a  local hospital inquired about the problem at the same time as her breast augmentation.  Awareness of labial hypertrophy as a medical condition with a whole set of symptoms was just about unrecognizable at that time.  Since this time, about 10 years ago, the procedure seems to grow in popularity every year.  

In the series of  patients under the care of Dr. Zwiren the majority are between the ages of 20 and 49, 85%.  Most patients have a reduction on both sides, but there is a definable request for unilateral or one sided repair at about 8%.  Greater than 80% of our patients request the procedure secondary to discomfort either in clothing or with sexual activity.  The most common procedure performed in addition to labia reduction is clitoral hood reduction, followed by eposiotomy scar revision and excision of vaginal polyps.  Complications have been relatively infrequent with wound separation being the most common at less than 3%.  

After surgery our patients are asked to complete a questionanaire related to their satisfaction with the procedure in an attempt to develop evidence based modification of not only our techniques but also with overall patient care.  With our current technique the overall all satisfaction rate is high at over 95%.  Overwhelmingly our patients have reported improved self esteem, improved sex life, happiness with the procedure and almost all would do the procedure again and recommend a labiaplaty to other women with similar complaints.  

A labiaplasty is a technically challenging procedure and greatly benefits from the skills of a plastic surgeon.  Plastic surgery and cosmetic surgical experience places the plastic surgical specialty is uniquely qualified to the task at hand.  The soft tissues in this area are extremely delicate and our experience with genitourinary reconstruction, microsurgical reconstruction and sexual reassignment surgery definitely  allows a well trained plastic surgeon to perform the procedure to a high degree of patient satisfaction as evidenced by our follow up studies.   http://www.primacenter.com