A systematic review of the evidence on clitoral reconstruction after female genital mutilation/cutting. Issue 2 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdulcadir, Jasmine; Rodriguez, Maria I.; Say, Lale
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. Volume 129:Issue 2(2015:May)
• Page Start: 93
• Page End: 97
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2014.11.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7292

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="ab0005"> <title id="st0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="st0010">Background</title> <p id="sp0005">Clitoral reconstruction is a new surgical technique for women who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0015">Objectives</title> <p id="sp0010">To review evidence on the safety and efficacy of clitoral reconstruction.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0085">Search strategy</title> <p id="sp0020">PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched for articles published in any language from database inception until May 2014. Search terms related to FGM/C and clitoral reconstruction were used in various combinations.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0090">Selection criteria</title> <p id="sp0030">Studies of any design that reported on safety or clinical outcomes (e.g. appearance, pain, sexual response, or patient satisfaction) associated with clitoral reconstruction after FGM/C were included.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0095">Data collection and analysis</title> <p id="sp0040">Evidence was summarized and systematically assessed via a standard data abstraction form.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0100">Main results</title> <p id="sp0050">Four of 269 identified articles were included. They were fair to poor in quality. Summary measures could not be computed owing to heterogeneity. The studies reported on immediate surgical complications, clitoral appearance, dyspareunia or chronic pain, and clitoral function postoperatively via non-standardized scales.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="st0020">Conclusions</title> <p id="sp0055">Women who request clitoral reconstruction should be informed about the scarcity of evidence available. Additional research is needed on the safety and efficacy of the procedure to identify both long-term outcomes and which women might benefit.</p> </sec> </abstract>