Purpose: To describe a case of bilateral labial edema in an adolescent patient and review the literature on this rare occurrence.
Material: A 16-year-old girl was treated for widespread genital condyloma acuminata with CO(2) laser under general anesthesia and local lidocaine injections. Severe bilateral labial edema occurred after 48 hours.
Results: Lidocaine and Latex dermal patch tests for delayed hypersensitivity were negative. The edema resolved following treatment with local ice packs and magnesium sulfate compresses for 2 weeks.
Conclusion: This is the first description of severe bilateral labial edema after CO(2) laser treatment for condyloma acuminata. We suggest that transient local lymphatic obstruction was the reason for this complication. The literature on this rare occurrence is reviewed.