Reduction labioplasty in adolescents.

PURPOSE: To look at the presentation and management of labial hypertrophy in 2 young adolescents.

TYPE OF STUDY: Case report

MAIN FINDINGS: We present two cases, a 10-year-old girl with concerns regarding a hypertrophied labia minora and a 12-year-old girl with spina bifida and difficulty in performing intermittent catheterization because of the hypertrophied labia. We discuss a simple technique for reduction labioplasty and the different surgical options.

CONCLUSION: Hypertrophy of one or both labia minora can lead to functional, social, esthetic and sexual problems in females of all ages. As the age of sexual awareness and activity gets younger we can expect more presentations of this problem in the pediatric population. Many girls with spina bifida may also present with problems due to the hypertrophied labia. As pediatric surgeons are called upon to deal with adolescent gynecology we need to be competent in managing this condition.