Table 1
Chosen criteria for analysis of websites
| Criteria | What was analysed |
|---|---|
| 1. Types of procedure offered | Procedures classified into general types of procedure (if possible) |
| 2. Description of procedure | Information given on surgical technique and other information for example, use of laser |
| 3. Use of medical rhetoric | Suggestions that treatment is for a medical condition. Specific use of the term ‘labial hypertrophy’ as an indication for labiaplasty. |
| 4. Symptoms that surgery treats | Physical discomfort or appearance concerns |
| 5. Benefits of surgery stated or implied | Improve discomfort or appearance. Mention of any other benefits such as hygiene |
| 6. Success rates | What percentage of women achieve the benefits listed in 5. |
| 7. Specific reference to social and psychological advantages | Non medical benefits such as confidence leading to other advantages. |
| 8. Specific reference to enhancement of sexual experience | Any mention that sex will be improved for the patient or partner. |
| 9. Risks of surgery | Infection and bleeding should be documented as a potential risk of any surgical procedure. Other recognised risks include scarring and dissatisfaction with outcome. |
| 10. Absence or presence of a caution section | Are consumers advised to think carefully before proceeding to FGCS? |
| 11. Aftercare | Basic wound hygiene should be given following any genital surgical procedure |
| 12. Immediate outcomes | These would include beneficial outcomes and short-term risks as listed in 9. |
| 13. Long-term outcomes | These would include beneficial outcomes such as those listed in 5,7 and 8 as well as potential risks listed in 9. |
| 14. Absence or presence of positive testimonials | Usually in the form of personal stories about how surgery impacted upon an individual |
| 15. Absence or presence of ‘before’ and ‘after’ images | Photographs ‘before’ and ‘after’ were analysed. Some sites contained videos which we did not analyse |
| 16. Lowest age limit for surgery | Any mention that 16 years is the age of legal consent for surgery |
