Vulvectomy refers to a gynecological procedure in which the

vulva The vulva (plural: vulvas or vulvae; derived from Latin for wrapper or covering) consists of the external female sex organs. The vulva includes the mons pubis (or mons veneris), labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibular bulbs, vulv ...

is partly or completely removed. The procedure is usually performed as a last resort in certain cases of

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

, vulvar dysplasia,

vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) refers to particular changes that can occur in the skin that covers the vulva. VIN is an intraepithelial neoplasia, and can disappear without treatment. VINs are benign but if the changes become more severe, ...

, or as part of female genital mutilation. Although there may be severe pain in the groin area after the procedure, for a number of weeks, sexual function is generally still possible but limited. __TOC__

Types

A simple vulvectomy can be either complete (more than 80% of the vulvar area) or partial (less than 80% of vulvar area). It removes the skin and superficial subcutaneous tissues. A radical vulvectomy is the same with regard to complete or partial, however, includes removal of skin and deep subcutaneous tissue. An inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy may be performed along with a radical vulvectomy (whether partial or complete) on one or both sides if spread of a cancer is suspected.American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Professional Edition 2015 A simple partial vulvectomy is the least severe, only removing the affected portion of the vulva. A "skinning vulvectomy" is the removal of the top layer of vulvar skin (the external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips and the opening of the vagina). In this case

skin graft Skin grafting, a type of graft surgery, involves the transplantation of skin. The transplanted tissue is called a skin graft. Surgeons may use skin grafting to treat: * extensive wounding or trauma * burns * areas of extensive skin loss du ...

s from other parts of the body may be needed to cover the area. There are two types of skinning vulvectomy, the "partial" and the "total". The objective of the first is the preservation of the cosmetic and functional integrity of the vulva in younger and sexually active patients, in whom a steady increase in the incidence of

has been observed in the last decade. The objective of the latter is the removal of the entire vulva with total skin graft replacement in patients with an entire vulvar cancer involvement. "Modified radical vulvectomy" involves the removal of vulva containing cancer and some of the normal tissue around it.

References

{{Urogenital surgical and other procedures Female genital modification Gynecological surgery Surgical oncology Surgical removal procedures

Types

See also

References