Labial Reduction And Medical Negligence
Labia reduction surgery may be an option for women who feel the inner lips of their vagina are too big, in turn causing discomfort and embarrassment. But what does this type of surgery involve, and what action can you take if it goes wrong?
What Is A Labial Reduction?
A labial reduction, or labiaplasty, decreases the size and obtrusion of the inner lips (labia minora) of the vagina. This procedure may be requested by women who perceive their labia to be too large to be aesthetically pleasing, or because it causes problems with chaffing, irritation and sexual intercourse.
A labial reduction can be performed under local or general anaesthetic, either at a day surgical centre or a hospital. The procedure itself involves a surgeon reducing the size of the labia minora, either by trimming the edges or by cutting out a 'V' shape from the tissue and stitching the edges back together. The operation is likely to take between 1-2 hours, and patients are usually discharged the same day.
Risks And Complications of Labial Reduction
After a labial reduction, there may be some pain and discomfort for around two weeks. This should get better with time, as the wound heals and the sutures dissolve. The recovery process can be aided by ensuring the wound is kept clean, and abstaining from vigorous exercise and sexual intercourse for up to a month.
However, as with all surgery labial reduction does have a number of potential risks and complications. These can include:-
- Infection;
- Excessive bleeding;
- Unsightly scarring;
- Nerve damage;
- Unsatisfactory results – eg. over correction and/or asymmetry;
Medical staff should inform you of all of these risks before you sign a consent form, meaning you go into surgery aware of all the possible consequences.
Labial Reduction And Medical Negligence
Women wanting to undergo labial reduction should first be assessed by a medical professional to check whether or not they are suitable for this sort of surgery. This will include checking if a woman is:-
- In good physical health;
- Psychologically stable;
- Has realistic expectations;
- Has reason to believe her labia are oversized or asymmetric.
The psychological aspect of this examination is especially important, as often there are underlying problems at play that cause a woman to perceive her genitalia in a certain way. This is particularly true if there is a history of sexual trauma. If this is found to be the case, then doctors should caution against a labial reduction. Should such an assessment fail to take place, then there may be grounds for a medical negligence claim.
Furthermore, if the labial reduction is not carried out with reasonable skill or to an acceptable standard, then this can also be deemed as negligent. Such cases can see women left with labia that have had too much tissue excised, leaving the genital appearance more uneven than before surgery. This gross asymmetry can be very upsetting, and often leads to psychological problems.
If you have suffered as a result of a labial reduction, you should seek advice from a legal expert. You may be able to claim compensation for the damages and personal injuries you sustained as a result of negligent treatment.
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Early legal assistance can be vital so please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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