Labial adhesion

It is an adhesion of the labia minora frequently occurring in prepuberal girls. Adhesions are thought to occur due to irritation or trauma to non-estrogenized lips.

Adhesions may be associated with urinary tract infections, perineal dampness, vulvitis, and inability to access the urethra, but are usually discovered incidentally on routine examination.

Treatment of labial adhesions is not justified in the absence of symptoms because these adhesions commonly resolve with the physiological increase in estrogen at puberty.

When symptoms are present, the preferred treatment is an estrogen-based cream applied under traction to the lips. More recent research suggests that betamethasone cream may be equally effective. The need for adhesiolysis is low due to the effectiveness of topical therapy but may be necessary for both unusually dense adhesions and those that have required prior separation.

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
* GW Holcomb, J Patrick Murphy, DJ Ostlie. Aschcraft´s Pediatric Surgery 6º Ed.
* JM Hutson, M O’Brien, SW Beasley, WJ Teague, SK King. Jones’ Clinical Paediatric Surgery 7º Ed.
* AG Coran. Pediatric Surgery 7º Ed.