Reconstructive surgery after female genital mutilation: a prospective cohort study (2012)
This study is a Explanatory research regarding I,II FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Foldès Pierre,Béatrice Cuzin,and Armelle Andro
FGM/C Type(s): I,II
Health area of focus: Sexual.
Objective: To assess the immediate and long-term outcomes of Reconstructive surgery after female genital mutilation
Study Population: patients with female genital mutilation aged 18 years or older who had consulted a urologist at Poissy-St Germain Hospital,France
Findings: We operated on 2938 women with a mean age of 29·2 (SD 7·77 years; age at excision 6·1,SD 3·5 years). Mali,Senegal,and Ivory Coast were the main countries of origin,but 564 patients had undergone female genital mutilation in France. The 1-year follow-up visit was attended by 866 patients (29%). Expectations before surgery were identity recovery for 2933 patients (99%),improved sex life for 2378 patients (81%),and pain reduction for 847 patients (29%). At 1-year follow-up,363 women (42%) had a hoodless glans,239 (28%) had a normal clitoris,210 (24%) had a visible projection,51 (6%) had a palpable projection,and three (0·4%) had no change. Most patients reported an improvement,or at least no worsening,in pain (821 of 840 patients) and clitoral pleasure (815 of 834 patients). At 1 year,430 (51%) of 841 women experienced orgasms. Immediate complications after surgery (haematoma,suture failure,moderate fever) were noted in 155 (5%) of the 2938 patients,and 108 (4%) were briefly re-admitted to hospital.
Reconstructive surgery after female genital mutilation seems to be associated with reduced pain and restored pleasure. It needs to be made more readily available in developed countries by training surgeons.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Western Europe
Country(ies):France