Masculinizing chest surgery for gender affirmation: A retrospective study of outcomes and patient reported satisfaction

• Published in: The American journal of surgery Vol. 223; no. 3; pp. 577 - 580
• Main Authors: Kelly-Schuette, Kathrine A., Wempe, Kristin, Fritz, G. Dane, Hop, Amie, Wright, G. Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2022; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Body mass index; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Breast surgery; Chest; Complications; Endocrine therapy; Female; Gender; Gender affirmation; Gender dysphoria; Gender identity; Gender reassignment surgery; Health care access; Hematoma; Humans; Mastectomy; Mental health; Non-binary gender; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Patient Satisfaction; Patients; Personal Satisfaction; Polls & surveys; Quality of Life; Retrospective Studies; Surgery; Surgical outcomes; Thoracic surgery; Transgender persons; Mastectomy; Transgender; Gender affirmation
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2021.12.032

Masculinizing chest surgery is the most common gender-affirming surgery. The objective of our study is to report the surgical and patient reported outcomes of surgery performed by a breast surgery practice. Between June 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019, eighty-one patients underwent surgery at a university-affiliated hospital. This study included a retrospective chart review and an anonymous survey. Seventy-five (93%) patients underwent double incision technique. Complications occurred in 25% of patients and two patients required reoperation within 30 days of surgery. The anonymous survey response rate was 47% (34/72). Patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with the cosmetic appearance and the median score was 90. Quality of life and mental health improvement was reported by most patients. Median follow up was 9 months. Masculinizing chest surgery performed by surgeons trained in breast surgery had a low rate of surgical complications and positive patient reported outcomes. •Complications occurred in 25% of patients and only two patients required reoperation within 30 days of surgery.•Patients were asked to rate their satisfaction with the cosmetic appearance after surgery on a numeric scale from 0 to 100 and the median score was 90.•Masculinizing chest surgery performed by breast surgeons had a low rate of surgical complications and positive patient reported outcomes.