Vulvectomy refers to a gynecological procedure in which the vulva

Vulva

The vulva consists of the external genital organs of the female mammal. This article deals with the vulva of the human being, although the structures are similar for other mammals....

 is partly or completely removed. Usually performed as a last resort in certain cases of cancer

Cancer

Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...

, vulvar dysplasia, Human Papilloma Virus or FGM/C (genital Mutilation). Although there may be severe pain in the groin area after the procedure, for a number of weeks, sexual function is generally still possible but limited.

Types

A simple vulvectomy means removal of all external tissue, while a radical vulvectomy is the same however, also includes the removal of the clitoris, lymph nodes and nearby tissue.

A partial vulvectomy is the least severe, only removing the affected portion of the vulva.

'Skinning vulvectomy' involves the removal of the top layer of vulvar skin (the external female genital organs, including the clitoris, vaginal lips and the opening of the vagina). In this case Skin graft

Skin grafting

Skin grafting is a type of graft surgery involving the transplantation of skin. The transplanted tissue is called a skin graft.Skin grafting is often used to treat:*Extensive wounding or trauma*Burns...

s from other parts of the body may be needed to cover the area. There are two types of Skinning Vulvectomy, the 'partial skinning vulvectomy' and the 'total skinning vulvectomy'. The objective of the first one is the preservation of the cosmetic and functional integrity of the vulva in younger and sexually active patients, in whom a steady increase in the incidence of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia

The term Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia refers to particular changes that can occur in the skin that covers the vulva. VIN is not cancer, and in some women it disappears without treatment...

 has been observed in the last decade. Meanwhile, the objective of the total skinning vulvectomy is to remove the entire vulva with total skin graft replacement in patients with an entire vulvar cancer

Vulvar cancer

Vulvar cancer, a malignant invasive growth in the vulva, accounts for about 4 % of all gynecological cancers and typically affects women in later life. It is estimated that in the United States in 2006 about 3,740 new cases will be diagnosed and about 880 women will die as a result of vulvar cancer...

involvement.
'Modified radical vulvectomy' involves the removal of vulva containing cancer and some of the normal tissue around it.