Mechanism and Treatment of Genital Injuries in Pediatric and Adolescent Girls: Data from Two Regional Centers in Turkey

Background/purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the etiology, classification and treatment of genital injuries in pediatric and adolescent age group girls. Material and Method: Pediatric and adolescent age group girls who presented to our clinic with a perineum injury between January 2010 and January 2014 were included in the study. The etiology, mechanism, localization and treatment of the injury were retrospectively analyzed for each group. Results: The mean ages of the groups were 7.17 (min 3 ? max 10) years in the pediatric age group and 14.24 (min 11 ? max 18) years in the adolescent age group. According to mechanism of injuries the most common type was straddle type injuries in both groups. Surgical intervention was required for 5 (17%) patients in the pediatric age group and for 16 (64%) patients in the adolescent age group. All cases underwent primary suturing. The pediatric age group was found to be transported to the hospital later than the adolescent age group (40.5±22.6 min and 36.6±29.5 min, respectively). Conclusion: The severity of the injury was closely associated with the age. Primary suturing was the most common surgical procedure in both age groups. The possibility of sexual assault should not be overlooked, especially in injuries of the fourchette combined with the labia.