vulvectomy
Pronunciation: vul-VEK-toh-mee
Surgical removal of part or all of the vulva, typically performed for malignant or premalignant conditions.
Full Definition
A surgical procedure involving the removal of vulvar tissue, ranging from local excision of small lesions to radical removal of the entire vulva including the mons pubis, labia majora and minora, clitoris, and perineal body. The extent of surgery depends on the underlying pathology, most commonly vulvar cancer, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), or other premalignant conditions. Vulvectomy may be classified as simple (removal of vulvar skin and subcutaneous tissue) or radical (removal of deep tissues including portions of the urethra, vagina, and anus), often combined with lymph node dissection for cancer staging.
Usage
Usage note: Specify extent (partial, simple, radical) in documentation; often associated with oncologic procedures.
In Context
- "Radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy was performed for invasive squamous cell carcinoma." — Operative report
- "The pathology report following partial vulvectomy showed clear margins with no residual VIN III." — Pathology report