The treatment of 65 women with imperforate hymen by a central incision and application of Foley catheter

Objective To determine the surgical outcome of 65 women with imperforate hymen treated with a central surgical incision and insertion of a Foley catheter. Design A prospective study. Setting The study was carried out at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Meram Medicine, Selcuk University, between 1 January 1996 and 30 June 2006. Population A total of 65 women diagnosed as imperforate hymen. Methods A central oval incision was performed to imperforate hymenal membrane, then 16F Foley catheter was protruded and the balloon was insufflated. Catheter was removed after 2 weeks duration. Estrogen cream was prescribed to all women for application onto hymenal structure for 2 weeks. Main outcome measures Efficacy of procedure in treatment of imperforate hymen, preserving hymenal structural integrity that is accepted as important for virginity in some societies. Results After the procedure, hymenal orifice created remained open and intact in all women except two women. Closure of artificially created hymenal orifice in these two women was believed to be related to inappropriate administration of estrogen cream. Subsequent treatment with local estrogen treatment results in the hymenal orifice remaining opened in these two women. Conclusions We have previously reported the technique in 2002, but now we are able to demonstrate results of our technique in an expanded number of women. This technique is less invasive than other methods and prevents many social problems related to virginity by preventing destruction of the integrity of the hymenal structure and providing an annular-intact hymenal ring.