Doctors Develop First Clitoral Reconstruction Technique for Cancer Patients
What Happened
Researchers at Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands have developed a new surgical technique to reconstruct the clitoris in women who undergo surgery for vulvar cancer. The procedure repositions nerve bundles to create a new clitoral tip and uses a small tissue graft to help preserve sensation. The findings were published in the journal Gynecologic Oncology. Among the first 23 women who received the procedure, about 90% were able to achieve a clitoral orgasm again, typically within three to six months after surgery. Researchers said sensation generally continues to improve over the first year following treatment.
Key Takeaways
The technique addresses a long-overlooked quality-of-life issue for vulvar cancer patients and may help preserve sexual function after cancer treatment. Researchers also believe it could have wider applications, including reconstructive care for women affected by genital mutilation.