Defibulation to treat female genital cutting: effect on symptoms and sexual function.
OBJECTIVE
Women who have undergone type III female genital cutting may suffer long-term complications. Defibulation (reconstructive surgery of the infibulated scar) can alleviate some of these complications. We studied the physical and sexual outcomes after defibulation and evaluated both patient and husband satisfaction.


METHODS
The medical records of 40 consecutive women with a history of type III female genital cutting who underwent defibulation between 1995 and 2003 were reviewed. Data collected included demographics, indications for the procedure, closure type, intraoperative and postoperative complications. Telephone surveys were conducted between 6 months and 2 years postprocedure to evaluate the long-term health and sexual satisfaction outcomes.


RESULTS
Of 40 women identified as having undergone defibulation, 95% were Somali, 65% were married, and 73% were between the ages of 19 and 30. Primary indications for defibulation were being pregnant (30%), dysmenorrhea (30%), apareunia (20%), and dyspareunia (15%). Secondary indications were apareunia (20%), difficulty urinating (12.5%), and dyspareunia (10%). Sixty-five percent had a subcuticular repair. Forty-eight percent had an intact clitoris buried beneath the scar. None had intraoperative or postoperative complications. Of the 32 patients reached by telephone, 94% stated they would highly recommend it to others. One hundred percent of patients and their husbands were satisfied with the results, felt their appearance had improved, and were sexually satisfied.


CONCLUSIONS
Defibulation is recommended for all infibulated women who suffer long-term complications. The complication rates are minimal, with high satisfaction rates among patients and their husbands.


METHODS
II-3.
Nour
Nawal M
NM
African Women's Health Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. nnour@partners.org
Michels
Karin B
KB
Bryant
Ann E
AE
D000328:Adult; D019093:Circumcision, Female / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000601:surgery*; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012998:Somalia / Q000208:ethnology; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000601:surgery