Outcomes After Labiaplasty Performed Under General versus Local Anesthesia
Basil Nwaoz, Catherine J. Sinnott, MD, Noel Natoli, MD.
Long Island Plastic Surgery Group, Garden City, NY, USA.
BACKGROUND: Interest in labiaplasty as a way to alter and improve genital appearance has been on the rise. Labiaplasty procedures can be performed in the office setting under local anesthesia. However, these procedures are often performed under general anesthesia for patient comfort and to facilitate the operative technique and to potentially improve outcomes. Outcomes after labiaplasty performed under general anesthesia as compared to that performed under local anesthesia in the office setting have not been well defined. This paper aimed to compare outcomes after central wedge labiaplasty performed under general anesthesia versus that performed under local anesthesia.
METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified patients who underwent central wedge labiaplasty performed by a single surgeon from 2009 to 2019. Demographic, clinical and operative information were reviewed and recorded. Outcomes were assessed by evaluating postoperative complications and the need for revision surgery.
RESULTS: 32 women with a mean age of 32.8±11.2 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.0 ± 3.5 kg/m2 underwent central wedge labiaplasty during the study period. Ten (31.2%) labiaplasties were performed under local anesthesia in an office setting and 22 (68.8%) were performed under general anesthesia. Clinical and operative characteristics were comparable between labiaplasties performed under local anesthesia and those performed under general anesthesia. Postoperative asymmetry and wound dehiscence were the most common complications after labiaplasty performed under local and general anesthesia. Furthermore, outcomes after labiaplasty performed under general anesthesia were comparable to that performed under local anesthesia, with regard to asymmetry (27.2% vs. 10.0%; p=0.387), dehiscence (40.0% vs. 27.2%; p=0.683) and scarring (0.0% vs. 4.5%; p=1.000). There were no cases of infection, hematoma, decreased sensation or dyspareunia.
CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative asymmetry and dehiscence were the most common complications after labiaplasty performed under general or local anesthesia. Furthermore outcomes after labiaplasty performed under general anesthesia were comparable to that performed under local anesthesia. Further studies are needed to assess outcomes after labiaplasty performed under general anesthesia compared to that performed under local anesthesia.
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