Pediatric and adolescent gynecology in gynecological surgery

Pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG) is a subspecialty that involves the diagnosis and treatment of symptoms and diseases of genitalia and breasts of female children and adolescents and which is mainly performed by gynecologists and pediatricians. Specific knowledge of the agedependent maturation process is therefore most important in order to distinguish between normal and pathologic criteria; adolescent young girls are not “small adults”. Their genital anatomy, gynecological problems, and the questions posed are quite different to those of adult women.This review of PAG specifically comprises methods of examination for differential diagnosis in all age-groups of girls and adolescents. Recommendations on contraception and the responsibility of physicians in cases of suspected sexual abuse are also dealt with.