The anatomical variations of the external genitalia including the hymen were observed prospectively in 1,500 female infants born between March, 1992 and July, 1992 at the Taegu Fatima Hospital. Careful inspection of the external genitalia was done within 24 hours after birth, and abnormal findings photographed. Almost all hymenal tissue appeared to be redundant. The hymen was annulus in 89.1 % of patients. Ninteen point nine percent had a central orifice and the remainder a ventral orifice. External ridges, intravaginal ridges, and clefts were present in 71.5 %, 50.7 % and 40.5 %, respectively. Congenital anomalies of the external genitalia were found in 20 patients(1.4 %). There were sixteen cases of hymenal cysts, two hymenal polyps, one imperforate hymen, and one Skene's duct cyst. Seven of the 16 hymenal cysts with stalks were excised and those without stalk were aspirated. Hymenal polyps were excised. Imperforate hymen was incised and drained, and Skene's duct cyst was aspirated successfully. The surgical procedure were done without anesthesia, and the results have been good. In conclusion, routine physical examination of the female newborn infant detects frequent developmental anomalies. The significance of those anomalies will be clarified after longitudinal long-term followup studies.
