Gender-Affirming Surgery: Perioperative Medical Care

Endocr Pract. 2022 Apr;28(4):420-424. doi: 10.1016/j.eprac.2022.02.007. Epub 2022 Feb 22.

Abstract

Objective: Gender-affirming surgeries are becoming increasingly common in the United States. For many transgender and gender-diverse patients, gender-affirming surgery is a critical aspect of their overall health and wellness and has a significant impact on their social functioning. Although often the role of the primary care provider, endocrinology specialists may also need to counsel their patients and collaborate with surgical teams.

Methods: This narrative review provides an overview of the preoperative assessment and perioperative management for the most common gender-affirming surgeries.

Results: Preoperative assessment prior to gender-affirming surgeries can resemble assessment for other surgeries.

Conclusion: In the absence of data specific to gender-affirming surgeries, risk stratification and amelioration must use surrogate data from other populations.

Keywords: mastectomy; perioperative care; phalloplasty; postoperative care; transgender; vaginoplasty.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gender Identity
  • Humans
  • Perioperative Care
  • Sex Reassignment Surgery* / methods
  • Transgender Persons*
  • Transsexualism* / surgery
  • United States