The Fenton’s procedure (also called Fenton's repair) is an operation to remove scar tissue and widen the vaginal opening when a woman experiences persistently painful sexual intercourse.
Health problems that may require a Fenton’s procedure include:
• Lichen planus of the vulva or vagina
• Lichen sclerosus of the vulva
• Previous surgery on the genitals that results in painful intercourse
• Childbirth tears
• Episiotomy complications
• Radiotherapy to the genitals
If the genitals become scarred through a skin disease or trauma such as episiotomy, the scar tissue can cause narrowing of the vagina. In severe cases, it can obstruct the vulva altogether, completely preventing sexual intercourse.
For women with less severe cases, intercourse may be possible but will be painful and sore. Sometimes, there is no disease or scarring present, but the woman has been born with a vagina that is too small for comfortable intercourse or tampon insertion.
How is the Operation Carried Out?
A cut is made at the vaginal entrance, vertically towards the rectum and then stitched horizontally. This widens the opening to the vagina. It is usually done under a general anesthetic as a day case surgery.
Post-Operative Information
You will need pain relief afterwards as the recovery can be painful and you should take over the counter painkillers for a week or so afterwards. However, it’s not supposed to be severely painful so if you are in a lot of pain you should mention it to your doctor.
You can also relieve pain and swelling by applying ice packs to the area. Salt baths can be commenced 48 hours after your surgery. These may assist healing.
Check with your doctor, if you wish to use alternative therapies. Arnica homeopathy can be helpful in taking the sting out of the wound.
Stitches are dissolvable so you won’t have to put up with any discomfort having them removed from your most sensitive area.
It is advisable not to try and have intercourse for six weeks afterwards or later if you aren’t comfortable.
Side Effects
All operations have risks and although many women find that the Fenton’s procedure helps them, there can be complications. These include excessive bleeding during surgery, requiring an extra stitch to be put in, infection requiring antibiotics and stitches can sometimes burst open if the woman has put too much strain on the area and not rested properly after surgery.
Sometimes the incision site can develop scar tissue and become sore so that you end up with a problem the operation was intended to fix. This is, however, unusual.
To read other women’s experiences with the Fenton’s procedure, please see this website: Medhelp - http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Womens-Health/Fentons-repair---what-is-it/show/26291/
Sources:
FENTONS VAGINOPLASTY, Malcolm Frazer Gynaecologist. Web. 8 March 2012. http://www.malcolmfrazer.com.au/Miscellaneous%20Procedures/Fentons%20Vaginoplasty.pdf
Incision of introitus of vagina / Fenton’s procedure, John Fairbank Gynaecologist. Web. 8 March 2012.
http://www.johnfairbank.co.uk/operations/p1400.html
Arnica. University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC)Web. 8 March 2012. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/arnica-000222.htm
Joanna is a freelance health writer for The Mother magazine and Suite 101 with a column on infertility, http://infertility.suite101.com/
She is author of the book, "Breast Milk: A Natural Immunisation", and co-author of an educational resource on disabled parenting.
Reviewed March 8, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith