Clitoral reduction: Technical note

Abstract

Clitoral hypertrophy is a rare genital malformation that can be congenital or acquired. In congenital forms, the most common cause is adrenal hyperplasia. The acquired forms are caused by endocrinological diseases, benign tumours or cysts. Idiopathic clitoral hypertrophies can be detected after the elimination of secondary causes. A complete assessment is needed to treat the origin of clitoridomegaly. The hypertrophy is often increased or unmasked during sexual arousal with the appearance of a true vulvar appendage in erection. It is often accompanied by a hypertrophy of the clitoral hood and can cause psychological suffering with an impact on the quality of sexual life. When the cause of clitoral hypertrophy is diagnosed, treated or stabilized, the plastic surgeon may be called upon for surgical correction. Reconstructive surgery in this area has evolved considerably since the historical clitoral amputations which led to the current technique of partial resection with sparing the dorsal neurovascular pedicle of the clitoris as described by Professor Paniel. We propose a modified conservative technique to treat clitoral hypertrophy and the clitoral hood and present two clinical cases: ventral reduction clitoridoplasty with preservation of the neurovascular pedicle associated with a chevron plasty of the clitoral hood and a lipofilling of the labia majora. The postoperative follow-up is simple with reports of great satisfaction from patients regarding their quality of life.

Keywords: Capuchon clitoridien; Chirurgie plastique; Clitoral hood; Clitoral hypertrophy; Clitoridomegalie; Clitoridoplastie; Clitoridoplasty; Clitoris; Clitoromegaly; Hypertrophie clitoridienne; Plastic surgery.