Genital reconstructive surgery

Genital reconstructive surgery refers to surgery performed on the genitalia of infants, children, or adults for the purpose of correcting birth defects or other anatomic abnormalities, or for the purpose of transforming genitalia associated with one sex into genitalia of the other sex.

Reconstructive surgery to correct abnormalities of the genitalia is often performed in infancy, but may be performed at any age. It is discussed more fully as intersex surgery.

See also:

• intersex surgery and history of intersex surgery
• ambiguous genitalia
• intersex

Reconstructive surgery performed at the request of transgender or transsexual people to transform genitalia associated with one sex to those associated with the other sex is discussed elsewhere as sex reassignment surgery, although many have argued that "genital reconstruction" is a more descriptive phrase than "sex reassignment" because other sex-related characteristics frequently already correspond to the identified gender prior to genital procedures.

Reconstructive surgery at the request of circumcised persons, or persons who have sustained injury, to transform their injured or otherwise damaged genitalia into normal genitalia for their sex can also be performed. These surgical procedures include clitoral reconstruction, labia reconstruction, penis reconstruction, and foreskin restoration.

See also:

• Sex reassignment surgery
• List of transgender-related topics
• Genital modification and mutilation