Chest-wall contouring surgery in female-to-male transgender patients: A one-center retrospective analysis of applied surgical techniques and results

Background and Aims: Chest-wall contouring surgery is an important part of the gender reassignment process that contributes to strengthening the self-image and facilitating living in the new gender role. Here, we analyze the surgical techniques used in our clinic and report the results. Material and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scandinavian journal of surgery 2017-03, Vol.106 (1), p.74-79
Main Authors: Kääriäinen, M., Salonen, K., Helminen, M., Karhunen-Enckell, U.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Background and Aims: Chest-wall contouring surgery is an important part of the gender reassignment process that contributes to strengthening the self-image and facilitating living in the new gender role. Here, we analyze the surgical techniques used in our clinic and report the results. Material and Methods: Female-to-male transgender patients (n = 57) undergoing chest-wall contouring surgery at Tampere University Hospital between January 2003 and April 2015 were enrolled in the study. Breast appearance was evaluated and either a concentric circular approach or a transverse incision technique was used for mastectomy. Patient characteristics and data regarding the technique and postoperative results were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results: In addition to the transgender diagnosis, 40.4% of the patients had another psychiatric diagnosis. For mastectomy, a concentric circular approach was used in 50.9% and a transverse incision approach in 49.1% of the patients. In the transverse incision group, 21.4% of the patients underwent pedicled mammaplasty and 78.6% mastectomy with a free nipple–areola complex graft. Compared with the transverse incision group, breasts were smaller (p 
ISSN:1457-4969
1799-7267
DOI:10.1177/1457496916645964