Why is there risk of nerve damage to the clitoris with a labiaplasty?

Thank you for your questionA well trained and competent surgeon would have nearly zero chance of significant nerve damage. Unfortunately, there are many not well trained and/or experienced surgeons performing this procedure so it is up to you to do your homework, see their before and after photos and patient reviews to avoid this and other complications.

HI ninny11,

Like any with t any surgical procedure, there is always a risk of some nerve damage.
Potential causes include a lack of knowledge on the surgeon's part about where the nerves are.
There are other nerves to the clitoris that can be damaged as well as the dorsal nerve.
Also, there are the clitoral frenulae that extend past the clitoris as 2 small appendages.
If these are cut or damaged , a loss of sensation to the clitoris can be experienced as well.
Some patients have scar tissue int he area from previous surgeries or trauma ( intentional or not) and post -operative swelling can cause some loss of sensation. Usually post -operative swelling will not cause permanent damage, however.
Hope this answer helps a bit.

Best,

Dr. Christine Rodgers

Hello and thank you for your question.

In general, the risk of nerve damage to the clitoris in patients undergoing labiaplasty is very low.

The goal of Labiaplasty procedure is to reduce the length and the width of your labia minora. It will also make wearing tight clothes more comfortable.

During clitoral hood reduction, excess folds of the clitoral hood can be removed to create a more balanced appearance of female genitalia. However, not everyone is a candidate for this procedure.

I suggest that you seek an in person consultation with a Board-Certified plastic surgeon specializing in Labiaplasty to further discuss your options, specific techniques, concerns and expectations.

I hope this helps.
Best regards, Dr. Karanetz

Dr. Irena Karanetz
Fellowship-Trained
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Any surgery or medical procedure will always have certain risks. A skillful and knowledgeable cosmetic gynecology surgeon will have a thorough understanding of the delicate nerves surrounding the clitoral area and can effectively minimize these risks through the use of appropriate techniques. I recommend doing research on your surgeon's background and seeing a cosmetic gynecologist with experience in performing vaginal rejuvenation procedures. Best of luck on your journey!

Surgery carries some risk. Cuts or burns are the ways to harm the dorsal nerves The dorsal nerves. These nerves are located in the labiaplasty site, and any surgeon doing the procedure should be aware of their location to prevent burning or cutting them. There is still a risk because, in actuality, some surgeons are unaware of the location or existence of these nerves. Surgery caries some risks.

If desired, your labia minora and clitoral hood can be reduced to improve the appearance. A labiaplasty with a clitoral hood reduction can reduce your hood size. However, it must be performed by a surgeon with experience. One of the two most common labiaplasty techniques is the central wedge technique, which I invented in 1995 and published in the plastic surgery textbooks. It is also known as the "V" or wedge technique. Gynecologists and most plastic surgeons perform a labiaplasty very differently. They essentially trim the labia minora (inner vaginal lips) and leave a long suture line instead of the normal labial edge. Their technique is the same whether a scalpel or a laser is used. In contrast, the central wedge removes triangles of tissue and bring the normal edges together. Thus, the normal labial edges, normal color, and normal anatomy are preserved, but the darkest labial tissue is usually removed. There is rarely a sign that the woman has had surgery.

If you have extra tissue on your clitoral hood, it can be reduced at the same time. Your clitoral hood is long and protuberant. It can be decreased somewhat by reducing the sides. I pioneered a clitoropexy with clitoral hood reduction in which the clitoris is pushed closer to the pubic bone and the width, thickness, length, and protuberance of the clitoral hood can be decreased. With this procedure, I lift up the clitoral hood skin, move the clitoris closer to the pubic bone, thin the tissues under the clitoral hood skin, and then remove a large amount of excess skin. This results in a dramatic decrease in the length, thickness, and protuberance of the clitoral hood, so that the hood is now within the labia majora when the woman stands. I have performed this procedure over 400 times with outstanding results. I have not published this technique, so no one does it like me.​

No matter the technique, an inexperienced or unskilled surgeon can lead to a high rate of complications, chronic scar discomfort, labial deformities, and further surgery.​​ The chance of clitoral injury is very rare if done by a surgeon who is experienced and knows anatomy. Doctors do often injure the frenula which are folds coming from the clitoris. I have seen several women with clitoral injuries. Approximately 40% of the female genital surgeries that I perform are reconstructions of other women's botched labiaplasties and hood reductions.


Gary J. Alter, M.D.

Beverly Hills, CA - Manhattan, NYC

Hello. Thanks for your question. All surgeries or procedures that involve cutting through skin carry a risk of nerve damage or injury and they must be disclosed no matter how small that risk will be. With clitoral hood reduction and labiaplasty, not only are the dorsal clitoral nerves at risk but so are their many tiny branches. There are labial nerves as well that are to be avoided. Most skilled surgeons will know the anatomy well enough and be experienced enough to avoid transecting or cutting the larger nerves and branches however tiny tributaries of the nerves will be disrupted and carry a risk of temporary lack of function. Also the very nature of surgery with swelling and healing can cause nerves to reduce or accentuate their typical firing pattern. The key is to have your procedures done by someone with a ton of experience with the procedures. Take care. Dr. Poucher

Hello, theoretically, what you have explained is correct and in labiaplasty and clitoral Hoodoplasty surgery performed with the correct technique, there will be no problems such as constant pain, sensitivity and tension due to nerve damage. However, in one percent of cases, the person's nerve distribution may vary and bleeding may occur during surgery. And extra stitches to stop bleeding can cause such complications. However, since we perform so many aesthetic procedures now, I almost never see these complaints in my practice.

All surgeries have risks. The only way to damage the dorsal nerves (there are 2 of them, not one) is to cut them or burn them. In theory, every surgeon who does a labiaplasty should know where these nerves are and use that knowledge to avoid cutting them or burning them. In reality, some surgeons don't know where these nerves are, don't know that they even exist, and that's why there is still a risk.

There is always a risk of numbness with surgery. The idea is to stay from the nerve route. You may need a detail conversation with your surgeon to express your concerns. Have them explain their surgical technique in order for you to feel more comfortable. Best of luck.