Monday, October 3, 2011

CSA


In incidents of child sexual abuse (CSA), the interview with the child is typically the most valuable component of the medical evaluation. Elicited history is frequently the only diagnostic information that is uncovered. Additionally, if performed in a sensitive and knowledgeable manner, the history-taking process can be a first step in the healing process for the child who is sexually traumatized. Regardless of the history provided, the members of the interdisciplinary team need to demonstrate an open, nonjudgmental, and caring attitude toward the child; the willingness to advocate for the child must be demonstrated as the evaluation unfolds.
  • General principles for successful history taking
    • To assist in creating a comfortable and nonthreatening environment, allow an extended period of time when taking the history in children who are suspected of being sexually abused.
    • When interviewing the child, use a developmentally sensitive approach to the questioning so that the child can understand what is being asked and is able to answer as accurately as possible.
    • Rely on nonleading questions as much as possible to permit the child to relate information in a credible and reliable framework.
    • An interview often has a healing value for children, enabling them to start to feel some control with what occurs in their lives in contrast to the abusive situation that took away the control they should have with their own bodies.
    • In an effort to demystify the information-gathering process, consider permitting children to sit where they want to sit, slowing down the pace of the interview if it starts to go too fast, permitting time for play breaks, and encouraging children to use their own words for body parts.
  • Initial introduction with efforts to build up trust
    • During the initial meeting, the health care provider and any members of the interdisciplinary team who are involved with the treatment of the child should introduce themselves to the child and caregiver.
    • At this point, the primary health care provider should explain how the evaluation usually proceeds, including the need to first speak alone with the caregiver and then alone with the child.
    • After these initial conversations, ask the caregiver to rejoin the child for a physical examination, which frequently is understood as a "check-up" by the child.
  • Caregiver interview
    • Ensure that caregivers who accompany children have an opportunity to describe their concerns, provide information about the children's health, and outline any information they have related to the suspected abuse.
    • By interviewing the caregiver first, the interviewer allows the child an extra bit of time to become familiarized with the clinical setting and, hopefully, to become more comfortable with the environment.
    • Initially explain to the caregiver the extent to which the information elicited during the interview is required to be shared with child protective services (CPS) staff and law enforcement personnel who may be involved with the case.
    • Clarifying the limits of confidentially in suspected incidents of child sexual abuse is paramount to avoid feelings of betrayal later if and when information is shared with the various involved agencies.
  • Child interview
    • When verbal children are interviewed when the caregivers are not present, children may not provide the most valuable information.
    • Using a sensitive approach and building on what has been learned in the warm-up and caregiver interview components, begin with nonthreatening topics such as favorite activities, school subjects, and personal interests.
    • Once rapport has been established in the interview, ask the children why they have come to the doctor's office.
    • By focusing on asking simply worded, open-ended, nonleading questions, the person taking the history can progress through the standard "what, when, where, and how" questions, which are important to the medical evaluation of suspected child sexual abuse.
    • The full potential of the interview can be realized by a reliance on such questioning as "tell me more" followed by "and then what happened?"
    • Supporting the child for working hard to answer the questions (but not for the content of the answers) is vital to the credibility of the information elicited.
    • The clinician must understand the developmental capacity of the child and work within the child's abilities to garner the information needed. Thus, children may not know dates but they remember holidays; children may remember something happened before or after school began.
    • Asking children to explain what they mean to avoid misunderstanding important points in the history is always appropriate.
    • Using the child's words for body parts may make the child more comfortable with difficult conversations about sexual activities.
    • Using drawings may also help children describe where they may have been touched and with what they were touched.
    • Meticulous documentation is a necessity for these types of histories, because the documentation may be considered as evidence in subsequent legal proceedings emanating from the overall investigation.
    • To the extent possible, document specific quotes that the child makes about the abusive events.
    • Often, entries made in medical charts by health care providers of children's words detailing their own sexual victimization assist those advocating for children as they argue for suitable protection from people and situations that may be threats to the children's well-being.
    • Consider videotaping or audiotaping the interview if the jurisdiction permits this.
  • Wrap-up and preparation for the physical examination
    • After the child interview concludes, the caregiver can be invited back in the room to help facilitate the transition to the physical examination.
    • Being honest and empathetic with the child is critically important.
    • Therefore, do not promise that needles are not to be used unless absolutely sure that obtaining blood is not necessary; if not sure, reassure children that blood is obtained only if needed and, if blood is needed, children are told at the end of the examination.
    • Inform children if genital swabs are to be collected; allow them to handle the swabs in order to gain some comfort with the procedure.
    • If a colposcope is to be used during the physical examination, introduce it as a "special camera" that the doctor uses that does not touch the child.
    • After an appropriate discussion, leave the room and allow the child to prepare for the examination by suitable disrobing and putting on a gown with the caregiver's assistance.

    Physical

    As opposed to adult sexual abuse and in general, authorities agree that more than three fourths of physical examinations of children suspected of having been sexually abused are without definitive findings of sexual abuse. Heger and colleagues conducted a comprehensive study that included the review of physical examinations performed on 2,384 children evaluated for suspected child sexual abuse in a regional referral.[11] They found that, overall, only 4% of the children had abnormal findings. Of 182 children specifically referred for evaluation of a suspected finding identified by a health care provider, the child abuse specialist only found 8% of these children with a finding (this is the group expected to have the highest likelihood of a finding on examination due to the initial concern from the referring health care provider).
    Additionally, of children who reported either vaginal or anal penetration, only 5.5% had physical examination findings. Thus, Heger and colleagues concluded that the vast majority of suspected child sexual abuse physical examinations are likely to not discover physical findings (what are commonly referred to as "normal" physical examination findings). Numerous reasons are believed to account for this general lack of findings. First, the child and family typically know the perpetrators, and physical force is not often a major component as in adult sexual assaults. Disclosure of the abuse frequently is delayed, and evaluations may be performed weeks to months after the abusive contact. Finally, mucous membranes that compose the genital structures heal rapidly and, often, without obvious scarring. See the imags below.
    Girl in frog-leg supine position, exhibiting annulGirl in frog-leg supine position, exhibiting annular hymenal orifice. Tissue is thin and translucent without disruption or scarring. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.Girl in frog-leg supine position exhibiting hymenaGirl in frog-leg supine position exhibiting hymenal orifice, which is crescentic and has symmetric attenuation at lateral margins. No scarring is present. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.
    The general approach to the physical examination follows the standard examination techniques for a comprehensive physical examination (ie, complete head-to-toe approach). When examining the child who is suspected of being sexually abused, place particular emphasis on the genital and anal examination; however, children should experience this more thorough inspection of their anogenital anatomy only in the context of a complete examination. In this way, children receive messages that their whole bodies and health are important; this helps to avoid any undue focus on their anogenital areas.
    • Examining genital and perianal structures: To perform a complete examination of the child's genitalia and perianal structures for abnormalities attributed to abuse, the examiner first must understand the basic anatomy of this body area. Initially considering the female prepubertal genitalia with minimal palpation, externally inspect the vulvar structures. Tissues of interest are mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral meatus, hymen, fossa navicularis, and posterior fourchette. The postpubertal child may require a more extensive examination requiring internal examination of the vagina and cervix, depending on the suspected type of contact. This section focuses on the external examination of the prepubertal female genitalia. Child Abuse and Neglect: Physical Abuse includes a detailed description of the examination of the female adolescent patient. Structure descriptions are as follows:
      • Mons pubis
        • This genital structure is the skin-covered mound of fatty tissue above the pubic symphysis.
        • Due to maternal estrogen effect, the neonate's mons pubis appears generous and rounded; however, as the estrogen effect decreases, the roundness is lost until the child's endogenous estrogen level increases at the time of puberty.
        • In response to circulating hormones, the mons pubis is the site for pubic hair growth during pubertal development and adulthood.
      • Labia majora
        • These bilateral skin-covered longitudinal folds of fatty and connective tissue serve as external protection for the more recessed vulvar structures.
        • The neonate's labia majora are thicker due to maternal estrogen effect, and this decreases over time.
        • The child's labia majora do not completely cover the internal structures.
        • During puberty, pubic hair grows on the skin covering the labia majora as well.
      • Labia minora
        • These bilateral, thin, mucous membrane longitudinal folds are observed medial and more recessed in relation to the skin-covered labia majora.
        • Because of maternal estrogen, the neonate's labia minora are frequently larger than expected and may protrude beyond the labia majora; however, this decreases over time.
        • Anteriorly, the labia divide into lateral and medial components, with the lateral labial component fusing centrally to form the prepuce of the clitoris.
        • The medial labial components fuse to form the clitoral frenulum.
        • Posteriorly, the labia fuse to form the posterior fourchette.
        • No hair grows on the labia minora.
      • Clitoris
        • The clitoris is the small, cylindrical, erectile structure composed of a prepuce, frenulum, glans, and body.
        • Similar to the other structures described above, the maternal estrogen effect causes a transient enlargement of this structure, which decreases over weeks to months after birth.
      • Urethral meatus
        • This genital structure is the round outlet of the urinary system inferior to the clitoris.
        • This outlet may be difficult to routinely visualize in the child, but urethral tissue occasionally may prolapse, creating a beefy red donut-shaped protrusion at the site of the meatus.
      • Hymen
        • The hymen is the mucous membrane sheetlike structure that has an opening and is situated at the entrance to the vagina, sitting in a recessed fashion between the medial aspects of labia minora. See the images below.Girl in frog-leg supine position exhibiting hymen.Girl in frog-leg supine position exhibiting hymen. Hymen is septate; a band of tissue crosses the hymenal orifice. Tissue is thin with no scarring present. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.Infant girl with imperforate hymen and absence of Infant girl with imperforate hymen and absence of a hymenal orifice. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.
        • Hymenal tissue is very sensitive to estrogen, and the estrogenized hymen is pink and opaque compared to the relatively unestrogenized hymenal tissue, which generally is thin, translucent, and reddish with an obvious lacy vascular pattern. See the images below.Adolescent girl in supine position demonstrating eAdolescent girl in supine position demonstrating estrogenized tissue. Hymen is thicker, pink, and fairly opaque with no vessels visible. Tissue is redundant. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.Genital examination of adolescent girl revealing eGenital examination of adolescent girl revealing estrogenized hymenal tissue that is pink, thick, and opaque. Orifice appears irregular, secondary to significant redundancy of tissue. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.Genital examination of adolescent girl demonstratiGenital examination of adolescent girl demonstrating estrogenized hymenal tissue that is pink, thick, and opaque. Orifice is irregular due to areas of redundancy, especially at the 9-o'clock position. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.
        • The shape of the hymenal orifice varies, and the various shapes are generally described as crescentic (half-moon), annular (circular), fimbriated (redundant tissue that folds over on itself like excess ribbon around an opening), septate (column of tissue that crosses the opening), and cribriform (series of small openings). See the images below.Infant girl in frog-leg supine position. Hymenal oInfant girl in frog-leg supine position. Hymenal orifice is crescentic (little time is present at 12-o'clock posterior). Hymen is thin and translucent with vessels visible. Hymenal edge is regular and without interruption. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.Girl in knee-chest position. Hymenal orifice is crGirl in knee-chest position. Hymenal orifice is crescentic, thin, translucent, and without interruption or scarring. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.Infant girl in frog-leg supine position. Hymenal oInfant girl in frog-leg supine position. Hymenal orifice is annular, with tissue present around entire opening. Some redundancy is present. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.Infant girl in frog-leg supine position. Genital eInfant girl in frog-leg supine position. Genital examination reveals translucent hymenal membrane with significant redundant tissue making hymenal orifice difficult to appreciate in this photo. With further traction applied to both labia majora, the hymenal orifice could be observed. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.
        • The shape of the orifice can be further described by the appearance of clefts, bumps, notches, tags, and the presence of thickening or thinning at the orifice's edge. See the image below.Infant girl in frog-leg supine position. Hymenal oInfant girl in frog-leg supine position. Hymenal orifice is annular with a "bump" at 1-o'clock position and a small "notch" at 10-o'clock position. Hymenal membrane is thin and translucent, with no interruption or scarring. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.
        • The observed size of the hymenal orifice varies, depending on the state of relaxation of the child, the position of the child, and examiner technique.
        • As such, most authorities agree that measurement of the hymenal orifice has limited utility in the evaluation.
      • Posterior fourchette: Formed by the posterior meeting of the labia minora, the posterior fourchette is the floor of the fossa navicularis.
      • Fossa navicularis: The fossa navicularis is the space bounded by the posterior fourchette and the point where the hymen attaches to the inferior aspect of the vaginal wall at its entrance.
    • Standard positioning: To expose the prepubertal genital structures as fully as possible, several standard positions are used, namely frog-leg supine, knee-chest, and the left lateral decubitus.
      • Frog-leg supine position
        • This position is ideal for optimal visualization of the genital structures and for a fair degree of comfort for the child.
        • The child lays supine on the examining table or on the caregiver's lap and flexes her knees, bringing the heels of her feet together while abducting her hips; thus, her legs can move laterally, providing an excellent view of the external genitalia.
      • Knee-chest position
        • The knee-chest position provides clear observation of the anus; it also offers an opportunity to examine the vulvar structures, including the hymen, from a different vantage point.
        • This position can be helpful in assessing a difficult-to-visualize hymenal orifice.
        • As the child kneels down, resting her chest against her knees on the examination table and moving her buttocks superiorly, the anterior abdominal wall falls forward, and the hymenal tissues may be extended somewhat more than in the frog-leg supine position.
        • The main disadvantage to this position is that children may feel vulnerable and are often uncomfortable remaining in this position.
      • Left lateral decubitus
        • This alternative position is most appropriate for anal examination and most commonly is used with boys.
        • The left lateral decubitus position does not offer a clear visualization of the female vulvar structures.
        • The child lies on his left side with knees flexed and buttocks placed toward the examining table's edge and the examiner.
    • Calming the child during examination: In addition to positioning, make efforts to keep the child engaged and calm during the examination. Often, calming the child is accomplished by talking to the child and explaining what to expect during the examination. Additionally, proper attention to modesty is necessary, and the use of a quiet room, with adequate privacy, is essential. Use gowns and drapes as appropriate.
    • Genital and anal examination: Examiners may find it helpful to progress through the genital and anal examination in a fairly routine sequence, during both the actual examination and the subsequent documentation.
      • General observation and inspection
        • The genital examination begins with general observation and inspection.
        • With the child in the appropriate position and with adequate light and privacy, look for signs of injury on the skin surfaces, make a judgment about the presence and character of pubic hair for sexual maturity rating purposes, and look for any obvious signs of infections.
        • Note the child's emotional status.
      • Visualizing the more recessed genital structures
        • Once the inspection is completed with gloved hands, the examiner may use gentle palpation to move the tissues and further visualize the more recessed genital structures.
        • By applying gentle lateral traction to the labia majora, the labia minora and hymen may be observed more clearly.
        • Magnification, provided by a hand-held magnifying glass or colposcope, may be helpful during the genital examination. The colposcope has the advantage of providing an excellent light source and having the capability to take photographs during the examination.
        • Internal examinations and the use of instruments are almost never necessary in the prepubertal examination for suspected child sexual abuse.
        • If deemed necessary because of a serious finding (eg, bleeding with no identified source), arrange an examination under anesthesia.
      • Collection of specimens
        • At this point in the examination, specimens may be collected for STD screening and forensic evidence collection.
        • These procedures are described in more detail in the Workup section.
      • Possible observable findings: Most individuals who have been sexually abused present with essentially normal examination findings. However, possible observable findings include (1) those attributable to acute injury if the examination is performed a relatively short time after the sexual contact or (2) chronic findings that may be residual effects following repeated episodes of genital contact, which have occurred over an extended period of time.
        • Examples of acute trauma include subtle erythema, abrasions, lacerations, friability, bleeding, and disruption of the hymen. Additionally, if the perpetrator ejaculated on or near the child's genitalia, seminal products may be found. Signs related to the existence of STDs may also be present. These signs may include vaginal discharge, signs of vulvovaginitis, and characteristic lesions, such as the viral lesions observed in genital herpes and the warts observed with human papilloma virus infection (ie, condyloma acuminata). See the images below.Genital examination of girl revealing bruising on Genital examination of girl revealing bruising on medial aspects of labia minora, hymenal trauma with disruption of hymenal tissue, and fresh blood. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.Infant girl with significant bruising that involveInfant girl with significant bruising that involved labia minora and labia majora, hymenal trauma with disruption of hymen, and fresh blood. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.Genital examination 10 days after infant girl presGenital examination 10 days after infant girl presented with significant bruising that involved labia minora and labia majora, hymenal trauma with disruption of hymen, and fresh blood. Bruising on vulvar structure is nearly resolved. Hymen is healing and no blood is observed. Photo courtesy of Carol D. Berkowitz, MD.
        • Chronic findings that may be found include scars on the genital skin and mucous membranes, remodeled hymenal tissue from repeated trauma, and disrupted vascular patterns in the translucent tissues. Healing occurs in these tissues. Over months to years of abusive contact, angular margins in hymenal tissue tend to smooth out, and, with the onset of puberty, the appearance of estrogen and resultant hypertrophy of the genital mucous membranes tend to obscure subtle changes.
    • Muram diagnostic categorization system: From a historical perspective, the Muram categorization system is of note and offers valuable insight into how various prepubertal genital examination findings may assist diagnosis.
      • Category I - Genitalia with no observable abnormalities
      • Category II - Nonspecific findings that are minimally suggestive of sexual abuse but also may be caused by other etiologies
      • Category III - Strongly suggestive findings that have a high likelihood of being caused by sexual abuse
      • Category IV - Definitive findings that have no possible cause other then sexual contact (eg, seminal products in a prepubertal female child's vagina, the presence of a nonvertically transmitted gonorrhea or syphilis infection)
    • Alternate classification
      • Adams and colleagues have built upon the Muram classification approach and have combined it with information from other components of the sexual abuse assessment.[12] These clinical investigators propose an approach to the interpretation of medical findings in suspected child sexual abuse that offers a sound basis from which the examining health care provider can a differential diagnosis and offer a diagnostic impression at the conclusion of the health care evaluation. According to the 2008 update, Adams and colleagues propose an approach that has the following 8 categories of findings:[13]
        • Findings documented in newborns or commonly seen in nonabused children (ie, normal variants)
        • Findings commonly caused by other medical conditions
        • Indeterminate findings (ie, insufficient/conflicting research data so requires caution in interpretation)
        • Findings diagnostic of trauma and/or sexual contact
        • Residual/healing injuries
        • Injuries of blunt force penetrating trauma
        • Presence of infection that confirms mucosal contact with infected bodily secretions (ie, contact most likely to have been sexual)
        • Diagnostic of sexual contact (ie, pregnancy or sperm directly taken from a child's body)
      • Because of the complexity of evaluation and the expertise required to accurately identify and interpret examination findings, Adams et al conclude their 2008 update with a call for standardization of the training of medical professionals who perform suspected child sexual abuse evaluations to ensure appropriate and continuing competence.

      Laboratory Studies

      Children who have been abused sexually are at risk of contracting STDs including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, condyloma acuminata, herpes simplex virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), pediculosis pubis, and trichomoniasis vaginalis.
      Rapid tests are not appropriate for prepubertal children in the context of a child sexual abuse (CSA) evaluation because of their higher potential for false-positive results.
      Cultures remain the criterion standard and are valuable from a forensic evidence standpoint.
      Depending on the contact suspected and the clinical situation recommended, testing includes the following:
      • Gram stain of vaginal and/or anal discharge
      • Genital, anal, and pharyngeal culture for gonorrhea
      • Genital and anal culture for chlamydia
      • Serology for syphilis
      • Wet prep of vaginal discharge for Trichomonas vaginalis
      • Culture of lesions for herpes virus
      • Serology for HIV (based on suspected risk)
      The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) views nonvertically transmitted gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV as diagnostic of sexual abuse in the prepubertal child.[14]
      In a child, the AAP views the presence of T vaginalis as highly suggestive of sexual abuse.
      Nonvertically transmitted condyloma acuminata and herpes with no clear history of autoinoculation are also suggestive of sexual abuse.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Labiaplasty Surgery: San Francisco Plastic Surgeon Dr. Rajagopal

Labia Minora Reduction

Labia Minora Reduction
Labiaplasty
Labioplasty
LABIA REDUCTION:
LABIA MINORA (INNER LIPS) REDUCTION:
THE ALTER LABIA CONTOURING PROCEDURE: THE NEW LABIAPLASTY:
Labiaplasty / Labioplasty is a procedure performed on women who dislike the large size of their labia minora, which may cause embarrassment with a sexual partner or discomfort in tight pants, with sports, or during sexual intercourse. Some women are born with enlarged labia and therefore opt to have labiaplasty; whereas others develop the enlargement with age or from child-birth. Occasionally, a woman is self-conscious of her labia since childhood. A labia reduction (labiaplasty) procedure can be performed to reduce the labia minora.
Traditionally, gynecologists and plastic surgeons perform labia minora reduction (labia reduction or labiaplasty or labioplasty) by excising the protuberant labia minora and over sewing the raw edge. This old fashioned labia reduction (labiaplasty) technique is not ideal since the natural contour and color of labia minora edge are eliminated. Instead, an irregular scar line of more lightly colored inner labial tissue replaces the normal pigment of the labial border.
Recently, Dr. Alter developed a new technique of labia minora reduction (labiaplasty) called the "Alter labia contouring" procedure "the new labiaplasty", which preserves the normal contour, color, and anatomy of the labia minora edge. The protuberant labium is excised in a "V" manner and the upper and lower edges are sutured together. Therefore, the only suture line visible on the edge is a small transverse line instead of a longitudinal vertical suture line. This results in normal labia minora in which surgery is essentially undetectable. Excess skin on the sides of the clitoral hood can also be removed without visible scars. Several modifications of labiaplasty have also been made that have not yet been published.
About the Labiaplasty / Labioplasty Surgery

The labia minora reduction surgery (labiaplasty or Labioplasty) is relatively minor and is not very uncomfortable. The labia reduction surgery takes 2 hours and is performed with magnification to assure an accurate approximation of the normal labial edges, whereas the other technique takes 15-30 minutes and results in a scar line as the labial edge. That scar can cause chronic discomfort and disfigurement.
The labiaplasty / labioplasty surgery is performed in a fully accredited surgical center. General anesthesia is usually used, but sedation with local anesthesia is possible. The complication rate from labiaplasty is extremely low. If you have a relatively sedate job, you can probably return to work in 5 days. If you travel here, I will see you on the day before surgery, and you should plan on staying in the area for about 2-3 days after the operation. You can resume sexual relations in about 6 weeks after a labia reduction. None of my patients have complained of any loss of sensation or any decline in the ability to have orgasms.

Insurance may cover the labiaplasty (labioplasty)surgery if you have any discomfort. We are happy to assist you in obtaining preauthorization.
This labia minora procedure (labiaplasty / labioplasty) was published in the prestigious journal 'Annals of Plastic Surgery" in early 1998 (volume 40, page 287). It was featured in Cosmopolitan magazine in November 1998, in Playboy magazine's August 1999 Playboy Advisor; in the February 2000 and November 2003 issue of Marie Claire magazine, and in Glamour magazine, etc.
For more information on labiaplasty (labia minora reduction / labioplasty) please visit Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Gary J. Alter, MD' labiaplasty website:
 http://www.labiaplastycenters.com 

Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty Combination Surgery

Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty Combination Surgery
Labiaplasty (Reduction and Beautification) and Vaginoplasty (Rejuvenation and Tightening of the Vagina), can be performed at the same time if desired. They can also be performed at the same time as other cosmetic surgery procedures such as, liposculpting, breast enlargement or reduction, face, nose and eyelid surgery.
before after photos
Before and After Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty Combination Surgery
Photos courtesy of Dr. Stern
Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty Combination Surgery Photo Gallery
IMPORTANT NOTE: This page contains medical information that includes graphic visuals of medical pre-operative and post-operative photos that may be disturbing to some viewers. DO NOT ENTER THIS PAGE if you do not wish to see these images.  Access to this medical information is NOT AUTHORIZED for those UNDER THE AGE OF 18. By entering this page, you hereby certify that you are 18 or over.
The labiaplastysurgeon.com web site fully respects and honors the integrity of the information that is displayed on the web site.  In that regard, you, the viewer may feel completely assured that the pre and post-operative photos (before and after photos) have been certified by the this web site, with the individual doctor, in writing, that they are; 1)his/her original work from the same patient and not taken from any other source, and; 2) the photos that are displayed have NOT been altered in any manner digitally, and; 3) that the patients in the before and after photos that are displayed have given complete consent to the doctor displaying them on the labiaplastysurgeon.com website.
Finally, it is important that the viewer of this web site realize and understand that the results displayed in the before and after pictures are SPECIFIC to each patient who has had a surgical procedure performed and that the results viewed in the before and after pictures CANNOT be a measure or guarantee to the viewer that they will achieve the same results, as all patients are different in their surgical healing and recovery processes.


labia vagina before after photos
Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty combination surgery patient photo above pre-op (left) and immediate post-op (right)
The same Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty combination surgery patient photo above pre-op (left) and one year post-op (right)
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern
labia vagina before after photos
Before and After patient photos above by Dr. Stern

Vaginoplasty

Vaginoplasty (rejuvenation or tightening of the vagina)
A female genital surgical procedure to tighten vaginal muscles.
For women who’ve experienced multiple childbirths, vaginal muscles tend to experience enlargement due to stressful expansion during the delivery. The result can often be loose, weak, vaginal muscles. Even after exercise (Kegal), the condition of the vaginal muscles may not improve. Many women find that while the experience of childbirth may be the most rewarding of their lives, sometimes the after effects for both their sexual partner and themselves is not as satisfying as it once was.

Vaginoplasty, sometimes referred to as rejuvenation of the vagina, is a procedure that can usually correct the problem of stretched vaginal muscles resulting from childbirth(s), and is a direct means of enhancing one’s sexual life once again. The procedure typically tones vaginal muscle, resulting in greater contraction strength and control, thereby permitting greater sensation during sexual experiences.

Generally, anyone in average physical condition or good health can be a candidate for vaginoplasty surgery.
vaginoplasty before after
Photos courtesy of Dr. Stern
Before Vaginoplasty SurgeryAfter Vaginoplasty Surgery
Procedure and Recovery:
Vaginoplasty is a standard gynecologic surgical procedure. It tightens vaginal muscles and surrounding soft tissues, by reducing excess vaginal mucosa (vaginal lining). The result is an immediate decrease in the size of vaginal muscles, resulting in more friction during sexual experiences.
After surgery, the patient is usually able to walk comfortably within a few days and may return to sexual activities within 4-6 weeks.

Surgical risks are few, but may include among others: infection, bleeding, and scarring.

female external genital organs