Genital lesions complicating female genital cutting in infancy: a hospital-based study in south-east Nigeria

Abstract

Childhood FGC contributes to appreciable morbidity among girls, a large proportion of whom are not managed in a hospital setting. The cost of managing these complications can be enormous, especially in low-resource settings. Girl child education to tertiary level and the involvement of traditional rulers and local decision-makers in the campaign against FGC might help to eradicate the practice.

Post Genital Mutilation Giant Clitoral Epidermoid Inclusion Cyst in Benin City, Nigeria

“…This may be a direct reflection of the current prevalence and poor surgical techniques of female genital mutilation in this African subregion. As also reported in earlier studies, 10,11 cases that died following the mutilation and those who could cope with the complications may not have been discovered and/or reported to appropriate quarters. This scenario has adversely affected proper documentations on female genital mutilation in many cultures.…”

“…Labial adhesion and other vulval complications have been reported following the different types, but clitoral epidermoid inclusion cyst is reported 10,11,18 to be exclusively associated with clitoral tip excision (type I). This corresponds with findings in this study in which all the clitoral cysts were found to occur following clitoral tip excision as the cyst arose and attached to the remaining stump.…”

“…17,18 Small clitoral cyst excision is a simple surgical procedure but the excision of a giant cyst could be challenging owing to the risk of injury to the labia minora and urethral that form part of the ventral wall. The daycare treatment (ambulatory surgery) and the use of local anesthesia as done by others 11,13 were adequate in this series. However, circumferential incision placed at the neck of the cyst (arrow point in Fig.…”

“…4,8e12 Despite the various types of complications that have been reported following female genital mutilation and the governmental and non governmental campaigns against the practice, there has been an increasing number of female children presenting late with post mutilation complications in this subregion. 10,11,13 These were traced to underground practice by quacks and the fear in affected families of a possible prosecution by anti-female genital mutilation organizations. 10,13 Consequently, many affected female children may not seek early surgical consultation unless the complication is life threatening or they are no longer able to cope with the associated discomfort.…”

“…10,13 Consequently, many affected female children may not seek early surgical consultation unless the complication is life threatening or they are no longer able to cope with the associated discomfort. 8,10,11,13 The non-life threatening and often painless nature, and the hidden location of clitoral epidermoid inclusion cyst, make it an easily concealed complication of female genital mutilation.…”