The Role of Plastic Surgeons in Female Genital Mutilation Reconstructive Surgery

The World Health Organization defines female genital mutilation (FGM) as any procedure involving partial or total removal of female external genitalia or other injury to genital organs for non-medical indications. Despite prohibitory legislation in the United States and significant morbidity related to FGM procedures, the practice continues throughout the globe with three million women at risk annually. Surgical care for women with FGM has historically been in the hands of obstetrician and Gynaecologists (OB GYNs), and mainly focused to help safe labor and delivery. Recent awareness of the need for improved reconstructive surgical care for FGM has developed in the plastic surgical literature. This Current Opinion article highlights the historical surgical care for FGM and the opportunity for plastic surgeons to get more involved in the multidisciplinary care of these patients.