Benign vaginal villi noted at time of defibulation of female genital cutting.

Abstract

Female genital cutting is a cultural practice in Africa and the Middle East. As more patients who have undergone this procedure are seen in the United States and undergo surgical revision of the scarred labia, new clinical findings will arise. At the time of surgical revision of female genital cutting, small clusters of villi were noted on the vaginal and labial mucosa of 3 patients. Pathological examination revealed benign-appearing papillary structures. These villi completely resolved by the 6-week postoperative visit. Female genital cutting may lead to a vaginal environment that predisposes women to benign changes in the vaginal mucosa that resolve after the closed (infibulated) labia are surgically revised.