Delayed repair for complex genital trauma following sexual assault in a 3-year-old female with late presentation for care: a case report
Abstract Background Genital trauma following child sexual abuse presents a complex and variable clinical picture of pelvic perineal injury, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the structures involved in effective management. Ideally, these cases are considered urgent, and primary repair s...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05288-x |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849342525986308096 |
|---|---|
| author | Raha Maroyi Denis Mukwege Lisa Doble Robert Andrianne |
| author_facet | Raha Maroyi Denis Mukwege Lisa Doble Robert Andrianne |
| author_sort | Raha Maroyi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Genital trauma following child sexual abuse presents a complex and variable clinical picture of pelvic perineal injury, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the structures involved in effective management. Ideally, these cases are considered urgent, and primary repair should be performed as an emergency. Unfortunately, the window of opportunity for urgent action may be missed as the patient may not present for care until much later. Case presentation We report the case of a 3-year-old African (Congolese) girl who presented to the Panzi Hospital’s sexual violence ward in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 3 days after being sexually abused by an adult family friend. Clinical examination revealed a complex perineal tear with a split in the posterior vaginal wall extending to the posterior vaginal cul-de-sac and a fourth-degree rectal prolapse. A cleft was also noted in the external orifice of the urethral meatus. All the lesions were infected and covered with fibrin, with no signs of peritonitis. Initial management included admission for locoregional treatment with antiseptic solution and sitz baths. A total of 2 weeks later, surgical intervention was performed, which resulted in improved short- and long-term outcomes in terms of the vulvar cosmetic, functional, and psychological aspects. Conclusion In cases of delayed access to medical care for several days for complex genital trauma following child sexual abuse, treatment of the infection and delayed closure lead to better outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8c4d9d8d0e6f4ab0829191aecc2d44e2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-8c4d9d8d0e6f4ab0829191aecc2d44e22025-08-20T03:43:21ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-07-011911610.1186/s13256-025-05288-xDelayed repair for complex genital trauma following sexual assault in a 3-year-old female with late presentation for care: a case reportRaha Maroyi0Denis Mukwege1Lisa Doble2Robert Andrianne3Panzi General Referral HospitalPanzi General Referral HospitalTownsville University HospitalUrology Department, University Hospital of LiègeAbstract Background Genital trauma following child sexual abuse presents a complex and variable clinical picture of pelvic perineal injury, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the structures involved in effective management. Ideally, these cases are considered urgent, and primary repair should be performed as an emergency. Unfortunately, the window of opportunity for urgent action may be missed as the patient may not present for care until much later. Case presentation We report the case of a 3-year-old African (Congolese) girl who presented to the Panzi Hospital’s sexual violence ward in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 3 days after being sexually abused by an adult family friend. Clinical examination revealed a complex perineal tear with a split in the posterior vaginal wall extending to the posterior vaginal cul-de-sac and a fourth-degree rectal prolapse. A cleft was also noted in the external orifice of the urethral meatus. All the lesions were infected and covered with fibrin, with no signs of peritonitis. Initial management included admission for locoregional treatment with antiseptic solution and sitz baths. A total of 2 weeks later, surgical intervention was performed, which resulted in improved short- and long-term outcomes in terms of the vulvar cosmetic, functional, and psychological aspects. Conclusion In cases of delayed access to medical care for several days for complex genital trauma following child sexual abuse, treatment of the infection and delayed closure lead to better outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05288-xChild sexual abuseChild sexual assaultExamination under anesthesiaPerineal injuriesPerineal traumaSurgery |
| spellingShingle | Raha Maroyi Denis Mukwege Lisa Doble Robert Andrianne Delayed repair for complex genital trauma following sexual assault in a 3-year-old female with late presentation for care: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports Child sexual abuse Child sexual assault Examination under anesthesia Perineal injuries Perineal trauma Surgery |
| title | Delayed repair for complex genital trauma following sexual assault in a 3-year-old female with late presentation for care: a case report |
| title_full | Delayed repair for complex genital trauma following sexual assault in a 3-year-old female with late presentation for care: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Delayed repair for complex genital trauma following sexual assault in a 3-year-old female with late presentation for care: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Delayed repair for complex genital trauma following sexual assault in a 3-year-old female with late presentation for care: a case report |
| title_short | Delayed repair for complex genital trauma following sexual assault in a 3-year-old female with late presentation for care: a case report |
| title_sort | delayed repair for complex genital trauma following sexual assault in a 3 year old female with late presentation for care a case report |
| topic | Child sexual abuse Child sexual assault Examination under anesthesia Perineal injuries Perineal trauma Surgery |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05288-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rahamaroyi delayedrepairforcomplexgenitaltraumafollowingsexualassaultina3yearoldfemalewithlatepresentationforcareacasereport AT denismukwege delayedrepairforcomplexgenitaltraumafollowingsexualassaultina3yearoldfemalewithlatepresentationforcareacasereport AT lisadoble delayedrepairforcomplexgenitaltraumafollowingsexualassaultina3yearoldfemalewithlatepresentationforcareacasereport AT robertandrianne delayedrepairforcomplexgenitaltraumafollowingsexualassaultina3yearoldfemalewithlatepresentationforcareacasereport |