The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, or RACS, distanced itself from a controversial presentation made at the 19th Congress of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ISAPS. The presentation by Dr Rakesh Kalra, used pornographic images to discuss rejuvenation for the female genital, and continues to hound the surgeons seven years after it was presented.

The presentation by the visiting Indian doctor, originally made within the 2008 conference, showed images of women in various sex acts and statements that were critical of their private parts. It is titled “Vaginal Rejuvenation in Seven Surgical Steps.”

Among the images it used were a woman performing a sex act with a glass of beer, a naked female standing on her head and caption “Today, the vagina is being looked at from all angles,” and a close of the female genitals captioned “Appreciate the difference a little closer,” reports Herald Sun.

Trainee plastic surgeon were required to attend the congress, while for cosmetic surgeons, their attendance would help maintain their accreditation with the college.

In a statement, RACS said the presentation was a clear violation of acceptable standard for a scientific meeting. Kate Jenkins, commissioner of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights, found the presentation degrading and said on Wednesday that the images used could be considered sexual harassment.

Beth Wilson, former Health Services Commissioner, said she received several complaints about the presentation after the event. She said the presentation “further entrenched sexism in a new generation of trainees,” and it indicates sexism that pervades parts of the medical industry.

Catherine Foss, executive director of ISAPS, clarified that the presentation was not made at a podium or a meeting room but was only made available as an e-Paper. It was only accessible on computers at the upper level of the exhibit hall of the conference centre.

According to WebMD, vaginal rejuvenation, also known as vaginoplasty or designer vagina procedures are being marketed by cosmetic surgeons as providing benefits to women such as beauty, self-esteem and confidence. However, the American Society of Plastic Surgery cautions that vaginal rejuvenation may need more scientific studies to determine its efficacy and success.

Meanwhile, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated that it considers none of the cosmetic vaginoplasty surgeries accepted, routine procedures.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au

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