Troy Hailparn
Cosmetic Gynecology Center of San Antonio, USA
Title: The Impact of Labia Minora Labiaplasty on Patients’ Perceptions of their Genitals
Biography
Biography: Troy Hailparn
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Labia Minora Labiaplasty (LmL) surgery is sought after by women for comfort, function and appearance concerns but there is little documentation on how these surgeries affect how women perceive their genitals. The impact of LmL on female patients’ perceptions of their genitals is evaluated with the validated instrument, the Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS).
Methodology: All patients who underwent LmL, alone or in combination with other surgeries, from August 2011 through April 2017 were asked to fill out the 7-item version of the FGSIS before and after surgery (post-operative 4 weeks or more). The minimum score is 7 (one point per item) and the maximum score is 28 (four points per item). The higher the score the more positive the perception. Pre- and Post-op scores were directly compared. Age was assessed to see if it influenced scores.
Findings: N=152 underwent LmL surgery and filled out the Pre-Op Questionnaires (Qs). 13 did not fill out post-op Qs. The pre-op scores ranged from 7 to 26, the mean score = 14.78 and median pre-op score = 15. For N=139 who completed the Post-Op Qs, post-op scores ranged from 14 to 28 with a mean post-op score of 25.45 and median score of 27. Eleven patients required a second procedure with higher FGSIS scores after the second procedure. The difference between the pre-op (CI = 14.20, 15.36) and post-op (CI = 24.90, 26.00) scores was shown to be strongly statistically significant (on the average 10 points higher) with a p value equal to 2.2 x 10. Using the ANOVA test, age had no effect on pre- or post-op scores.
Conclusion and Significance: Labiaplasty surgery has a positive impact on patients’ perceptions of their genitalia using the FGSIS instrument. Pre-op and post-op scores were independent of age. This instrument can be a useful tool for practitioners to assess the success of LmL surgery.