What is a Fenton’s procedure?
The Fenton’s procedure is the removal of scar tissue, a skin web, or an area of narrowing around the opening of the vagina. Dissolvable stiches are used and the procedure can be done under local or general anaesthetic.
Why is it performed?
Your doctor has recommended you have the procedure to improve pain experienced during intercourse.
What are the risks?
As with all surgical procedures there are associated risks. These will be explained to you fully when you sign your consent form. Potential risks include:
- Pain, bleeding, bruising and infection – these tend to be short term and can be treated if they occur
- Risks of anaesthetic
- The procedure may not work and there is no guarantee that the pain during intercourse will resolve
Are there any alternatives to the procedure?
Your doctor has recommended this procedure as they feel it should help your symptoms. However, other options for managing your symptoms include:
- Doing nothing
- Using anaesthetic creams to numb the area
- Massaging the perineum (the area of skin between the vagina and anus)
- Using Megapulse treatment with the physiotherapy team
Please ask your doctor if you would like any further information on these options.
What happens before the procedure?
Prior to receiving your surgery date you will receive an appointment for the surgical pre-operative assessment clinic. Here they will assess your fitness for surgery and anaesthetic risks.
If the procedure is done as a day case surgery you will be asked to arrive at ward J24 at 07:30 on the morning of your surgery and will go home the same day.
You will be seen by the anaesthetist and by the surgeon performing your operation, who will answer any questions you may have and to go through your consent form.
Please bring any regular medications you take with you.
What happens after the procedure?
You will wake up in the recovery room. You will stay here until you have recovered enough to go back to the ward.
You will be able to go home the same day as long as there are no complications. As you have had an anaesthetic you will need someone to take you home.
Once at home you may have some pain or discomfort for the first few days. You can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for this. You can bath or shower 24 hours after the procedure, but only wash the area with warm water and avoid the use of soaps.
You will need to refrain from sexual intercourse for approximately four weeks to allow the area to heal and for the stitches to dissolve. When you resume sexual intercourse, it may be useful to use a lubricant.
If you have any questions or concerns about your procedure please contact
Gynaecology outpatient department
Surgical pre-operative assessment clinic
Acute gynaecology department
The acute gynaecology is also open 24 hours a day
if you have any concerns out of hours.