Vulval surgery covers a range of procedures on the external genital area, most often to diagnose or treat skin conditions, remove cysts or lesions, or address changes identified during examination. Many of these procedures are minor and performed as a day case.
A vulval biopsy is a brief procedure in which a small sample of skin is taken under local anaesthetic to confirm a diagnosis — for example lichen sclerosus or other inflammatory conditions — so that the right long-term treatment can be planned. Excision of a Bartholin’s cyst or abscess, skin tags, or other benign lesions is also commonly performed.
Most vulval procedures are quick, with minimal downtime. Some tenderness for a few days is normal, and simple measures such as gentle washing, loose clothing and avoiding irritants support healing.
Where a skin condition needs ongoing management, surgery is one part of a longer-term plan that may also involve prescribed treatments and periodic review, in partnership with a dermatologist where appropriate.