Labial Length and Patient Symptomatology: Is There a Correlation?

Overview

Journal Aesthet Surg J Open Forum

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty General Surgery

Date 2024 Jun 12

PMID 38863893

Authors

Deepa Bhat

Ruth Tevlin

Kelsey Lipman

Francisco Canales

Heather Furnas

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Labia minora length is used in classification systems and to determine labiaplasty candidacy, with shorter labia leading to nonsurgical recommendations.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between labia length and symptomatology.

Methods: Patients undergoing labiaplasty from January 2017 to May 2023 underwent chart review. Data collected included age, exposed, and total labia length. Patients completed a preoperative survey with possible scores from 0 to 13 to gauge complaints and symptoms.

Results: Out of 50 charts with complete data, the average age was 34. Exposed labia lengths were 10.1 mm (right) and 11.4 mm (left); total lengths from sulcus to edge measured 32.0 mm (right) and 33.4 mm (left). Survey scores averaged 6.5 (range, 2-11) median of 7. The correlation between exposed labia length and symptoms yielded Pearson correlation coefficient values () of 0.25 for both right and left sides, with coefficient of determination ( ) values at 0.06. For total labia length, values were 0.08 (right) and 0.06 (left), and values were 0.007 (right) and 0.003 (left).

Conclusions: The correlation between a patient's exposed and total labia length and reported symptomatology is weak. Patients with longer labia can experience few symptoms, just as those with shorter labia can have a high degree of symptomatology. Rather than use labia length as a primary factor determining labiaplasty candidacy, the focus should be on patient-reported symptoms.

Level Of Evidence 2:

References

Sorice S, Li A, Canales F, Furnas H . Why Women Request Labiaplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017; 139(4):856-863. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000003181. View

. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 378: Vaginal "rejuvenation" and cosmetic vaginal procedures. Obstet Gynecol. 2007; 110(3):737-8. DOI: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000263927.82639.9b. View

Widschwendter A, Riedl D, Freidhager K, Abdel Azim S, Jerabek-Klestil S, DCosta E . Perception of Labial Size and Objective Measurements-Is There a Correlation? A Cross-Sectional Study in a Cohort Not Seeking Labiaplasty. J Sex Med. 2020; 17(3):461-469. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.11.272. View

Veale D, Naismith I, Eshkevari E, Ellison N, Costa A, Robinson D . Psychosexual outcome after labiaplasty: a prospective case-comparison study. Int Urogynecol J. 2014; 25(6):831-9. DOI: 10.1007/s00192-013-2297-2. View

. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank Statistics 2020-2021. Aesthet Surg J. 2022; 42(Suppl 1):1-18. DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjac116. View

Veale D, Eshkevari E, Ellison N, Costa A, Robinson D, Kavouni A . Psychological characteristics and motivation of women seeking labiaplasty. Psychol Med. 2013; 44(3):555-66. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291713001025. View

Zahedi S, Bhat D, Pedreira R, Canales F, Furnas H . Algorithm for Trim and Wedge Labiaplasties. Aesthet Surg J. 2023; 43(6):685-692. DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjad033. View

Sharp G, Mattiske J, Vale K . Motivations, Expectations, and Experiences of Labiaplasty: A Qualitative Study. Aesthet Surg J. 2016; 36(8):920-8. DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjw014. View

Sorice-Virk S, Li A, Canales F, Furnas H . The Role of Pornography, Physical Symptoms, and Appearance in Labiaplasty Interest. Aesthet Surg J. 2019; 40(8):876-883. DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjz254. View

10.

Goodman M, Placik O, Matlock D, Simopoulos A, Dalton T, Veale D . Evaluation of Body Image and Sexual Satisfaction in Women Undergoing Female Genital Plastic/Cosmetic Surgery. Aesthet Surg J. 2016; 36(9):1048-57. DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjw061. View

11.

Turini T, Weck Roxo A, Serra-Guimaraes F, Abreu M, de Castro C, Aboudib J . The Impact of Labiaplasty on Sexuality. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017; 141(1):87-92. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000003921. View

12.

Oranges C, Schaefer K, Kalbermatten D, Haug M, Schaefer D . Why Women Request Labiaplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2017; 140(6):829e. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000003871. View

13.

Oranges C, Sisti A, Sisti G . Labia minora reduction techniques: a comprehensive literature review. Aesthet Surg J. 2015; 35(4):419-31. DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjv023. View

14.

Escandon J, Duarte-Bateman D, Bustos V, Escandon L, Mantilla-Rivas E, Mascaro-Pankova A . Maximizing Safety and Optimizing Outcomes of Labiaplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022; 150(4):776e-788e. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000009552. View

15.

Dobbeleir J, Van Landuyt K, Monstrey S . Aesthetic surgery of the female genitalia. Semin Plast Surg. 2012; 25(2):130-41. PMC: 3312147. DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1281482. View

16.

Chang P, Salisbury M, Narsete T, Buckspan R, Derrick D, Ersek R . Vaginal labiaplasty: defense of the simple "clip and snip" and a new classification system. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2013; 37(5):887-91. DOI: 10.1007/s00266-013-0150-0. View

17.

Sharp G, Tiggemann M, Mattiske J . Factors That Influence the Decision to Undergo Labiaplasty: Media, Relationships, and Psychological Well-Being. Aesthet Surg J. 2016; 36(4):469-78. DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjv270. View

18.

Sorice-Virk S, Li A, Canales F, Furnas H . Comparison of Patient Symptomatology before and after Labiaplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2020; 146(3):526-536. DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000007081. View

19.

Furnas H, Canales F, Pedreira R, Comer C, Lin S, Banwell P . The Safe Practice of Female Genital Plastic Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2021; 9(7):e3660. PMC: 8263325. DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000003660. View

20.

Wells M, Chang I, Wu R, Zheng D, Gatherwright J, Furnas H . Labiaplasty: Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database. Aesthet Surg J. 2022; 42(7):771-780. DOI: 10.1093/asj/sjac045. View