Surgical repair of the clitoris after ritual genital mutilation: results on 453 cases

Under general anesthesia: the clitoral stump was detached from the pubic bone, and restored to its normal position. Post operative visits were scheduled on day 15 and 45, and 6 months after the procedure. Esthetic results were rated by the surgeon in 3 categories : little change, clitoral volume reestablished but covered by skin, visible clitoral glans. As for functional results, patients were evaluated for pain and sexual pleasure during an open discussion with the surgeon;  453 patients were included in this study. 
The procedure always lasted less than 30 minutes. Hospital stay was 24 hours in all cases. A covered clitoral volume could be restored in 30% of the cases and a visible clitoris in 58%. A real improvement in clitoral sexuality was obtained in 75% of the cases. Nine patients had to be re operated for an hematoma, and 8 for disrupture of the sutures. Thirty one patients had local infection requiring oral antibiotherapy. Four patients experienced residual pain 4 months post operatively. This procedure is easy and reliable. With minor early complications it provides satisfying cosmetic and functional results and is a corner stone in our medical attempts to help these women. Key words : clitoris, excision, treatment.