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Background <p>FGM is an issue of increasing concern also in countries where it is not traditionally practiced. It is associated with multiple health consequences and significant economic costs for the public health systems. FGM-related vulvar hypertrophic scars are&#xa0;the most common long-term effects associated with this practice.&#xa0;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 scars.</p> Methods <p>Thirteen FGM survivors with vulvar scars underwent fat grafting and were assessed using the Vulvar Architecture Severity Scale (VASS), Female&#xa0;Genital&#xa0;Self-Image&#xa0;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 vulvar scar tissue and improves volumetric contouring of vulvar aesthetic units, with a positive effect on patients’ 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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Response to Letter: 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

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月4日

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  • 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. It is associated with multiple health consequences and significant economic costs for the public health systems. FGM-related vulvar hypertrophic scars are the most common long-term effects associated with this practice. 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 scars.

Methods

Thirteen FGM survivors with vulvar scars underwent 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 vulvar scar tissue and improves volumetric contouring of vulvar aesthetic units, with a positive effect on patients’ 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.