Background <p>FGM is an issue of increasing concern also in countries where it is not traditionally practiced. Vulvar scarring is&#xa0;the most common long-term effect associated with FGM, representing one of the main unmet issues in FGM women’s health. Regenerative therapies based on the use of adipose-derived stem cells are considered the standard of care for ameliorating scarring and fibrosis. This study aimed to explore the potential of fat grafting in the treatment of post-FGM vulvar scars.</p> Methods <p>Thirteen FGM survivors with vulvar scars underwent autologous fat grafting and were assessed using the Vulvar architecture severity scale (VASS), Female genital self-image scale (FGSIS), Female sexual function index (FSFI), and Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS).</p> Results <p>At an average follow-up of 12.23 months (± 3.03), clinical results (VASS) showed a significant improvement in all vulvar aesthetic units treated with FG (<i>p </i>&lt; 0.001). Patients reported improvements in genital-related self-image (FGSIS) (<i>p </i>= 0.001), sexual function (FSFI) (<i>p </i>= 0.019), and psychological well-being (HADS) (<i>p </i>= 0.002).</p> Conclusions <p>Fat grafting ameliorates FGM-related vulvar scars and improves volumetric contouring of vulvar aesthetic units, with a positive effect on women’s quality of life. This minimally invasive intervention has far-reaching implications, providing a cost-effective solution accessible even in low-resource settings to potentially improve the overall well-being of millions of women living worldwide with a form of FGM. The results of this study warrant further testing in future clinical trials.</p> Level of Evidence IV <p>This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors <a href="http://www.springer.com/00266">www.springer.com/00266</a>.</p>

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A Novel Approach to Female Genital Mutilation Reconstruction with Fat Grafting and Adipose Stem Cell Therapies: A Minimally Invasive Solution with a Potential Impact on Millions of Women Worldwide

  • Aurora Almadori,
  • Esther Hansen,
  • Peter Butler,
  • Marzia Salgarello

摘要

Background

FGM is an issue of increasing concern also in countries where it is not traditionally practiced. Vulvar scarring is the most common long-term effect associated with FGM, representing one of the main unmet issues in FGM women’s health. Regenerative therapies based on the use of adipose-derived stem cells are considered the standard of care for ameliorating scarring and fibrosis. This study aimed to explore the potential of fat grafting in the treatment of post-FGM vulvar scars.

Methods

Thirteen FGM survivors with vulvar scars underwent autologous fat grafting and were assessed using the Vulvar architecture severity scale (VASS), Female genital self-image scale (FGSIS), Female sexual function index (FSFI), and Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS).

Results

At an average follow-up of 12.23 months (± 3.03), clinical results (VASS) showed a significant improvement in all vulvar aesthetic units treated with FG (p < 0.001). Patients reported improvements in genital-related self-image (FGSIS) (p = 0.001), sexual function (FSFI) (p = 0.019), and psychological well-being (HADS) (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Fat grafting ameliorates FGM-related vulvar scars and improves volumetric contouring of vulvar aesthetic units, with a positive effect on women’s quality of life. This minimally invasive intervention has far-reaching implications, providing a cost-effective solution accessible even in low-resource settings to potentially improve the overall well-being of millions of women living worldwide with a form of FGM. The results of this study warrant further testing in future clinical trials.

Level of Evidence IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.