Clitoridectomy, or clitorectomy, is the surgical removal of the clitoris. It is rarely needed as a therapeutic medical procedure, such as when cancer has developed in or spread to the clitoris. Most removals of the clitoris occur as female genital mutilation, defined by the World Health Organisation as "all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic reasons.".
It was once used to curb female masturbation. This procedure is also ritual in certain tribes such as the Maasai in Kenya and Tanzania.
Clitoral reconstructive surgery was developed by French surgeon Pierre Foldès and has been clinically proven to allow women who have undergone female genital mutilation with clitoridectomy, to achieve clitoral orgasms and reduce pain. One organization, CAGeM offers this surgical treatment for free to victims of female genital mutilation.