title: A systematic review of the evidence on clitoral reconstruction after female genital mutilation/cutting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clitoral reconstruction is a new surgical technique for women who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review evidence on the safety and efficacy of clitoral reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched for articles published in any language from database inception until May 2014. Search terms related to FGM/C and clitoral reconstruction were used in various combinations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies of any design that reported on safety or clinical outcomes (e.g. appearance, pain, sexual response, or patient satisfaction) associated with clitoral reconstruction after FGM/C were included.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evidence was summarized and systematically assessed via a standard data abstraction form.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four of 269 identified articles were included. They were fair to poor in quality. Summary measures could not be computed owing to heterogeneity. The studies reported on immediate surgical complications, clitoral appearance, dyspareunia or chronic pain, and clitoral function postoperatively via non-standardized scales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women who request clitoral reconstruction should be informed about the scarcity of evidence available. Additional research is needed on the safety and efficacy of the procedure to identify both long-term outcomes and which women might benefit.
authors: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: jasmine.abdulcadir@hcuge.ch.
authors: Jasmine
authors: J
authors: Abdulcadir
authors: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: Maria I
authors: MI
authors: Rodriguez
authors: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: Lale
authors: L
authors: Say
mesh_terms: D019093:Circumcision, Female; D002987:Clitoris / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans
keywords: Clitoral reconstruction; Clitoris; Female genital cutting; Female genital mutilation; Female genital mutilation/cutting
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