Male-to-Female Gender Reassignment Surgery: An Institutional Analysis of Outcomes, Short-term Complications, and Risk Factors for 240 Patients Undergoing Penile-Inversion Vaginoplasty

Systematic Review of Neovaginal Prolapse After Vaginoplasty in Trans Women

Background and objective

Most trans women are requesting a gender affirming genital surgery by vulvovaginoplasty. However, long-term complications such as genital prolapse are unknown. Through this systematic review, our objective was to provide an overview of the published outcomes related to genital prolapse after vaginoplasty in male-to-female transgender individuals, including prevalence, identified risk factors, and treatment.

Methods

We included all studies reporting genital prolapse rates following vulvovaginoplasty from 1995 to the present. Only studies that focused on the transgender population were included. The primary outcome was the genital prolapse rate. The secondary outcomes included risk factors and treatment of genital prolapse after vulvovaginoplasty. Article selection was performed by two independent reviewers.

Key findings and limitations

Twenty-four studies, involving 3166 patients, that presented sufficient data were analyzed. The mean age at the time of vulvovaginoplasty was 37.7 yr. The mean follow-up time was 22.5 mo. Most of the studies were retrospective case series of low to intermediate quality. The penile skin inversion technique was the most frequently employed method (in 85% of the 3166 patients). The prevalence of prolapse ranged from 0% to 7% with the penile skin inversion technique and from 1.6% to 22.7% with intestinal vaginoplasty. Upon consolidating the results, an overall rate of 2.7% was observed. Specifically, the prolapse rate within the penile inversion technique subgroup was 2.5%, while the rate for the intestinal-derived neovagina subgroup was 3.5%. The only significant risk factor identified was a high body mass index at the time of surgery. The most employed intraoperative technique to prevent neovaginal prolapse involves fixation to the sacrospinous ligament, coupled with systematic vaginal packing. Few case reports addressed the surgical treatment of neovaginal prolapse, predominantly using open abdominal or laparoscopic approaches. None of these considered transvaginal or perineal approaches. No recommendation exists about the use of vaginal prosthesis.

Conclusions and clinical implications

Neovaginal prolapse in male-to-female transgender patients remains a rare complication, but its significance is growing as the transgender population ages. Scarce information is available regarding preventative techniques and treatments, necessitating further exploration, hampered by its infrequent occurrence.

Patient summary

Neovaginal prolapse in male-to-female transgender patients is a rare complication, with the only recognized risk factor being a high body mass index. However, its importance is growing with the aging of the transgender population. Long-term complications, preventive techniques, and management of these prolapses need to be explored through further research.

Sexual Health for Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals: Routine Examination, Sexually-Transmitted Infection Screening, and Prevention

Gynecologists play a critical role in the office evaluation of transgender and gender diverse individuals. This includes the provision of essential healthcare services including the treatment and prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and sexually-transmitted infections and screening for human papillomavirus infection-related diseases and cancers. Caring for patients who identify as transgender or gender diverse (TGD) and who have undergone gender-affirming surgical treatments is challenging due in part to clinical gaps in knowledge resulting from insufficient training and educational resources. A patient-centered approach to the care of TGD individuals requires knowledge of the general principles of affirming, holistic care with attention to the risk factors, and anatomic considerations unique to this population. This review aims to provide basic knowledge needed for the successful gynecologic evaluation of a gender diverse patient.

The Effect of Obesity on Vaginoplasty Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Some surgeons use body mass index criteria within the patient selection processes before vaginoplasty, thereby limiting access to select obese patients. We sought to better characterize the effect of obesity on postoperative outcomes across multiple vaginoplasty techniques.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective review of all transfeminine patients undergoing primary vaginoplasty procedures from December 2018 to July 2022 was conducted. Patients were stratified into cohorts according to the World Health Organization Obesity Class criteria. Data regarding demographics, comorbidities, operative details, postoperative complications, and all-cause revision were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 237 patients met the inclusion criteria. Average follow-up duration was 9.1 ± 4.7 months. Multivariate regression revealed that patients with class I and class II/III obesity were associated with higher odds of developing vaginal stenosis (class I: odds ratio [OR], 7.1 [ P = 0.003]; class II/III: OR, 3.4 [ P = 0.018]) and all-cause revision (class I: OR, 3.7 [ P = 0.021]; class II/III: OR, 4.8 [ P = 0.027]). Undergoing either robotic peritoneal or robotic intestinal vaginoplasty was associated with lower odds of delayed wound healing (peritoneal: OR, 0.2 [ P < 0.001]; intestinal: OR, 0.2 [ P = 0.011]). Lastly, adherence to dilation regimen was negatively associated with development of vaginal stenosis (OR, 0.04; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with obesity may be at a higher risk of developing vaginal stenosis after vaginoplasty, which may ultimately necessitate operative revision. Although patients with obesity may remain surgical candidates, proper preoperative counseling and adherence to postoperative vaginal dilation regimens are critical to optimizing outcomes.

The use of Integra Dermal Regeneration Template in the surgical management of revision penile inversion vaginoplasty: A case series

Since its initial design and use for the temporary coverage of severe full-thickness burn defects, Integra® (Integra LifeSciences) Dermal Regeneration Template has been increasingly used all over the body, yielding successful results in coverage of wound beds with insufficient vascularity and suboptimal conditions for proper healing. In this study, we report an institutional case series and outcomes of gender-affirming vaginoplasty revision for vaginal lengthening or reopening of the canal via placement of Integra® to assist in optimizing the wound bed for subsequent skin grafting when wound conditions were deemed to be suboptimal. A retrospective chart review was conducted in patients who underwent this technique by a single surgeon (JM) at the authors' institution. Demographics, vaginal depth, and complications were recorded and compared. Our patient population thus far includes 178 primary vaginoplasties, of which 9 of those needing revision were treated with this approach. The age at revision mean was 47 ± 13.5 years, and the body mass index mean was 31 ± 4.1. All patients had comorbidities and five were former smokers. Eight patients had prior revision conducted without Integra®, with a mean of 1.89 ± 1.76 and the time to first revision mean was 15.89 ± 14.2 months. No long-term complications after Integra® reported and most of the patients did not require further revision. The follow-up mean was 8.48 ± 8.66 months. A mean of 6.77 ± 5.35 cm was gained after the Integra® revision (4.92 ± 4.1 cm before versus 12.54 ± 3.07 cm after). The final depth after Integra® + full-thickness skin graft mean was 13.34 ± 4.65 cm. Overall, the depth gain mean was 7.48 ± 5.77 cm; in total, seven patients gained depth after revision with an average of 78% skin graft take. Overall, Integra® presents an alternative option for revision vaginoplasty with complicated wound beds potentially aiding in the healing process before grafting.

Vaginal Reconstruction in the Pediatric Population: An Analysis of a National Database

OBJECTIVE

In the pediatric population, vaginoplasties can be performed in patients with either congenital malformations or acquired conditions. To our knowledge, there has been no study to date investigating the outcomes of vaginoplasty in the pediatric population using a nationwide database. Here, we present a national cohort study of perioperative characteristics and 30-day complications of vaginoplasty in pediatric patients.

METHODS

A level II retrospective, prognosis cohort study was performed using the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP-P) database from 2012 to 2020. Data from patients age 0 to 18 who underwent vaginoplasty was queried using CPT code 57,335. Descriptive analysis was performed to elucidate patterns in patient demographics, perioperative characteristics, and 30-day postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 183 patients were identified. Median age was 2.41 years (IQR 0.9 to 12.1). In this population, 58.5% of patients had ASA class 2, and 33.3% ASA class 3. Congenital malformation was present in 75.9%. Average total length of stay was 2.7 days (SD = 3.8) and readmission rate was 7.86%. Complications included urinary tract infection (3.3%), bleeding/transfusions (2.2%), organ/space surgical site infection (1.1%), and superficial incisional surgical site infection (0.6%). The most common procedures performed simultaneously with vaginoplasty included cystourethroscopy (n = 66), clitoroplasty for intersex state (n = 58), and plastic repair of introitus (n = 22).

CONCLUSION

Vaginoplasties in the pediatric population were found to have low rates of 30-day readmission and low incidence of 30-day postoperative complications. Further studies focusing on prospective clinical data related to pediatric vaginoplasty can help identify factors to improve long-term outcomes in this population.

Gender-Affirmative Surgery: A Collaborative Approach between the Surgeon and Mental Health Professional

SUMMARY

Gender incongruence describes a condition in which an individual's gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth based on anatomic characteristics. Individuals with gender incongruence may request surgical interventions, and gender-affirmation surgery plays an important role for these individuals. The basis of care derives from principles elucidated in the Standards of Care, international guidelines that help inform clinical decision-making. Historically, mental health care professionals (MHCPs) and surgeons have worked collaboratively to select "appropriate" surgical candidates. However, as understanding of gender identity evolves, so does the relationship between the MHCP and the surgeon. The role of the MHCP has shifted from a requirement to verify an individual's identity to that of supporting and participating in a shared decision-making process between the individual and the health care team. This article discusses the evolution of the relationship between the MHCP and the surgeon and provides insight into the history of this relationship.

Gender-affirming Vaginoplasty and Vulvoplasty: An Initial Experience

OBJECTIVE

To describe the initial outcomes of a new multidisciplinary gender-affirming surgery (GAS) program comprised of plastic and urologic surgeons.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined consecutive patients who underwent gender-affirming vaginoplasty or vulvoplasty between April 2018 and May 2021. We used logistic regression modeling to analyze associations between preoperative risk factors and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Between April 2018 and May 2021, 77 genital GAS (gender-affirming surgery) procedures were performed at our institution (56 vaginoplasties, 21 vulvoplasties). All surgeries were performed in combination with urology and plastic surgery primarily using the perineal penile inversion technique. Mean patient age was 39.6 years, and mean BMI was 26.2 (Table 1a). The most common pre-existing conditions were hypertension and depression, with nearly 14% of patients reporting a previous suicide attempt. The complication rate for vaginoplasty was 53.7% within the first 30 days (Table 4). The most common complications were yeast infection (14.8%) and hematoma (9.3%). For vulvoplasty, the 30-day complication rate was 57.1%, with urinary tract infection (14.3%) and granulation tissue (9.5%) being the most common. 88.1% and 91.7% of the complications were Clavien-Dindo grade I or II for vaginoplasties and vulvoplasties, respectively. No association was found between preoperative patient factors and postoperative complications. Revision surgeries were performed for 38.9% of vaginoplasty patients during the study period, most commonly including urethral revision (29.6%), labia majoraplasty (20.4%), and labia minoraplasty (14.8%).

CONCLUSION

Collaboration between urology and plastic surgery is a safe and effective means to establish a GAS program.

Effect of Sex Reassignment Surgery on Satisfaction and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review

Gender dysphoria refers to a feeling of awkwardness or discomfort in an anatomically compatible gender role and a desire to have a body of the opposite sex, as well as the negative emotion associated with marked incompatibility between the sex they have and their experienced or expressed gender. It is known that sex reassignment surgeries cause critical changes in the lives of individuals with gender dysphoria. For this reason, it is thought that it is important to follow up individuals before and after surgery. In this systematic review study, it is aimed to examine the effect of sex reassignment surgery for individuals with gender dysphoria on body and sexual satisfaction and quality of life. The framework of the research question was created on the basis of PICOS steps. PubMed, PsycARTICLES and ULAKBİM databases were used in the literature review. The review is based on studies that measure body and sexual satisfaction and quality of life before and after sex reassignment surgery. The study was created using the preferred reporting elements for the PRISMA Statement checklist. The publication year range of the articles evaluated within the framework of inclusion and exclusion criteria among the total articles reached is 2014-2022. The studies were examined in two separate groups: studies on body and sexual satisfaction and studies on quality of life. After examining the articles, it was concluded that sex reassignment surgery increases the body and sexual satisfaction of individuals as well as enhancing the quality of life.

Transgender and Alagille Syndrome: A Rare Case of a Trans Woman with Alagille Syndrome

Alagille syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder with variable expression. Liver damage, especially cholestatic, is the most common feature of the syndrome. Transgender patients may suffer from a great distress due to the discrepancy between assigned sex at birth and unaffirmed gender identity. Gender affirmation treatment options for these patients include hormone therapy (HT) to induce secondary sexual characteristics and various surgical procedures. Estrogen-based hormonal treatments have been linked to an increased risk of liver enzyme elevation and disruption of bilirubin metabolism, especially in those with a genetic susceptibility. The case presented here is the first described Alagille syndrome transgender patient to undergo gender affirmation treatment, including (HT) and vulvo-vaginoplasty surgery.

Postoperative adverse events following gender-affirming vaginoplasty: an American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program study

BACKGROUND

As a part of gender-affirming care, many transgender women undergo vaginoplasty surgery, which is increasingly being performed in the United States. There are considerable knowledge gaps about adverse events associated with vaginoplasty as most published articles report single-center results.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe severe and overall 30-day adverse events after gender-affirming vaginoplasty using a large multicenter database.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study of transgender women who underwent vaginoplasty between 2011 and 2019 using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Cases were initially identified by diagnosis codes for gender identity disorders and procedure codes for male-to-female vaginoplasty. Adverse events at 30 days were identified, including unplanned reoperation or readmission, blood transfusion, wound dehiscence, surgical site infections, thromboembolic disease, sepsis, cerebrovascular or cardiac events, and urinary tract infection. Surgical procedures were further stratified by Clavien-Dindo grade, a standardized classification system for registering surgical complications. A score of 0 is given if there is no adverse event, whereas scores of 1 and 2 refer to deviations from the normal postoperative course, which may include additional pharmacologic treatment, bedside-managed wound complications, and blood transfusions. Clavien-Dindo grades of 3 to 4 include surgical interventions or life-threatening complications requiring intensive care unit management. A Clavien-Dindo grade of 5 is given for any complication resulting in death.

RESULTS

A total of 488 cases were eligible for inclusion in this study. The mean age of the cohort was 37.5 years, and race distribution was as follows: 71.1% White, 15.2% Black, 5.5% Asian or Pacific Islander, and 8.2% other. Of the cohort, 18.6% were Hispanic. Surgeries were performed by plastic surgeons (87.9%), urologists (8.6%), gynecologists (1.8%), and other specialists (1.6%). Concurrent nongenital surgery was performed in 17% of cases. The median operative time for all cases was 271 minutes (interquartile range, 214-344). There was no reported death in the 30-day period (Clavien-Dindo grade 5), and 27 cases (5.5%) had a Clavien-Dindo grade of 3 to 4. On multivariate analysis, body mass index and higher American Society of Anesthesiologists class were associated with higher odds of having a Clavien-Dindo grade of 3 to 4 (adjusted odds ratios, 2.9 [95% confidence interval, 1.32-4.21; P=.01] and 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 0.56-2.57; P=.05], respectively). Wound dehiscence, superficial surgical site infection, or deep surgical site infection occurred in 46 cases (9.0%). The readmission rate was 4.3% (n=21). Several preoperative factors had higher odds of readmission: body mass index (adjusted odds ratio, 9.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.77-22.13; P=.005), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists class (adjusted odds ratio, 3.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-9.03; P=.003), diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio, 5.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-20.45; P=.006), and hypertension (adjusted odds ratio, 3.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.26-10.47; P=.01). The reoperation rate was 4.7% (n=23), with no significant patient factor associated with this complication. Of the reoperations, 68.2% of cases were due to wound problems, vaginal bleeding, or hematoma.

CONCLUSION

In transgender women undergoing vaginoplasty for gender affirmation, severe postoperative complications were rare, occurring in 1 of 20 patients. Most patients experienced minor complications or no complication after surgery.

A single pedicled robotic peritoneal flap in penile inversion vaginoplasty augmentation

OBJECTIVES

To develop a surgical technique to achieve greater depth of the neovaginal cavity in transgender patients undergoing scrotovaginoplasty, and to propose a method for restoring neovaginal integrity in case of lack of genital skin or reduction of the depth due to scarring after infections or ischaemic processes.

METHODS

Eight patients were selected to undergo scrotovaginoplasty with scrotal graft and peritoneal flap augmentation in one operating session as a modification of Zhao's original technique. The age of the patients ranged from 25 to 65 years. The first step of the procedure was standard penile inversion vaginoplasty, avoiding suturing of the superior side of the skin cylinder. The skin cylinder was pushed into the abdominal cavity through the perineal access. Afterwards a laparoscopic/robotic approach was used: a single peritoneal flap was harvested from the posterior bladder surface, incised, dissected, pedicled on the neovaginal dome, overturned and and sutured all-round to the neovagina. The sides were adapted to obtain a 'cul-de-sac'.

RESULTS

The average operating time was 6 ± 1.5 h, and patients' hospitalization lasted 6 days. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. Postoperative management was the same as that usually reported in BJUI for patients undergoing standard scrotovaginoplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of this technique represents a good solution for increasing neovaginal depth by harvesting a large peritoneal vascularized flap, without significantly affecting postoperative management or increasing complications, as frequently observed using the colovaginoplasty technique.

Outcome measures reported following feminizing genital gender affirmation surgery for transgender women and gender diverse individuals: A systematic review

Background

Feminizing genital gender affirmation surgery (fgGAS) may be an essential adjunct in the care of some transgender women and gender diverse individuals with gender incongruence. However, the comparison of different techniques of fgGAS may be confounded by variable outcome reporting and the use of inconsistent outcomes in the literature. This systematic review provides the most in-depth examination of fgGAS studies to date, and summarizes all reported outcomes, definitions, and the times when outcomes were assessed following these surgical interventions. Aims/Methods: This work intends to quantify the levels of outcome variability and definition heterogeneity in this expanding field and provides guidance on outcome reporting for future study authors. Candidate studies for this systematic review were sourced via an electronic, multi-database literature search. All primary, clinical research studies of fgGAS were included with no date limits. Paired collaborators screened each study for inclusion and performed data extraction to document the outcomes, definitions, and times of outcome assessment following fgGAS.

Results

After screening 1225 studies, 93 studies proceeded to data extraction, representing 7681 patients. 2621 separate individual outcomes were reported, 857 (32.7%) were defined, and the time of outcome assessment was given for 1856 outcomes (70.8%) but relied on nonspecific ranges of follow-up dates. "Attainment of orgasm", "Neovaginal stenosis", and "Neovaginal depth/length" were among the most commonly reported outcomes. Profound heterogeneity existed in the definitions used for these and for all outcomes reported in general.

Discussion

The results demonstrate a need for clear outcomes, agreed definitions, and times of outcome assessment following fgGAS in transgender women and gender diverse individuals. The adoption of a consistent set of outcomes and definitions reported by all future studies of fgGAS (a Core Outcome Set) will aid in improving treatment comparisons in this patient group. This review is the first step in that process.

Gender Affirmation Surgery on the Rise: Analysis of Trends and Outcomes

Purpose: Gender-affirming surgery (GAS) has become an important component of the treatment of gender dysphoria. Although the frequency of these procedures is on the rise, a complete safety profile has yet to be established. The goal of our study is to analyze the trends and outcomes of these surgical procedures. Methods: All patients with a primary diagnosis of gender dysphoria undergoing GAS were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database between the years 2009 and 2018. Patient demographics and 30-day postoperative outcomes were recorded. We performed a multivariate logistic regression for postoperative complications, controlling for several confounding variables. Results: We identified 2956 patients, of which 1767 (59.78%) were transgender men and 1189 (40.22%) were transgender women. The number of patients undergoing GAS per year increased from 7 in 2010 to 1069 in 2018, a 152-fold increase. For patients undergoing top surgery, Black race (odds ratio [OR] = 2.255, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.189-4.277, p = 0.013) and diabetes (OR = 4.156, 95% CI 1.571-10.999, p = 0.004) were independent predictors of 30-day postoperative complications. For patients undergoing bottom surgery, total operative time in minutes (OR = 1.005, 95% CI 1.003-1.007, p = 0.001) was an independent predictor of 30-day postoperative complications. Conclusion: The demand for GAS has increased exponentially since 2014. While postoperative complication rates are acceptable, Black race was shown to be an independent predictor of postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing top surgery, a finding that calls for further investigation of racial disparities among transgender patients.

External Genital Revisions after Gender-Affirming Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty: Surgical Assessment, Techniques, and Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Following gender-affirming penile inversion vaginoplasty or vulvoplasty, patients may seek vulvar revision procedures for a variety of common aesthetic and functional concerns. These indications for revision and accompanying techniques are not well-described in the literature.

METHODS

Patients who underwent vulvar revision surgery at the authors' institution were identified, and patient demographics, surgical indications, operative details, and complications were described. Common complaints requiring external genital revision were sorted into four categories: clitoral, labial, introital, and urethral.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients with a history of vaginoplasty underwent vulvar revision between May of 2017 and December of 2019. The mean age at surgical correction was 38.9 years. Ten patients (28.6 percent) had undergone prior secondary procedures (range, 1 to 3). Mean follow-up after revision surgery was 10.7 ± 8.7 months (range, 0 to 30.6 months). The majority of patients underwent concurrent revisions in multiple "categories". Labial aesthetic concerns were most common (n = 27, 77.1 percent), followed by clitoral (n = 20, 57.1 percent), urologic (n = 17, 48.6 percent), and introital complaints (n = 12, 34.3 percent). Twelve patients (34.3 percent) had canal stenosis requiring concurrent robot-assisted canal revision with peritoneal flaps. Complications included labial abscess (n = 1) and deep vein thrombosis (n = 1). Three patients (8.6 percent) underwent subsequent external genital revisions. Management approaches and surgical techniques for each of these common revision categories are provided.

CONCLUSION

As more individuals seek vaginoplasty and vulvoplasty, surgeons must be prepared to address a range of common aesthetic and functional complaints requiring vulvar revision.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, IV.

Penile Flap Inversion Vaginoplasty in Transgender Women: Contemporary Morbidity and Learning-Curve Analysis From a High-Volume Reconstructive Center

Objectives

Numbers of PIV are rising. The aim of this study is to analyze the surgical learning-curve (LC) on the grounds of perioperative complications.

Patients and Methods

108 PIVs, performed by a single surgeon between 2015 and 2018 have been analyzed. Learning-curve analysis was based on three factors: operating time, vaginal depth and complications.

Results

The median FU was 6.3 months. Median age at surgery was 36 years, median time of hormone treatment was 36 months. The median CI was 0.3 and the median BMI was 25 kg/cm3. Median CCI® was 8.08. 40.7% of the patients developed short-term complications, more than half of which were Clavien I. Overall only 1.9% had Clavien IIIb complications. There were no Clavien IV or V complications. 17.6% of patients had wound infections, 13% wound dehiscence, 9.3% introitus strictures, 13.9% suffered from atrophy of the neovagina, i.e. loss of depth or width, and 8.3% from meatus urethrae strictures. Duration of hormonal therapy, BMI and CI had no impact on surgical outcome. Age had a significant impact on CCI®, as younger patients had a higher risk for complications. Use of scrotal skin and surgeries performed had a significant influence. LC analysis via CUSUM analysis showed that after 32 surgeries, the PIV is performed safely.

Conclusion

The PIV is a safe GAS-technique, associated with minor complications leading to low rates of revision surgery. Younger age, the use of scrotal skin and surgeon's experience has significant impact on complications. Duration of hormonal therapy, circumcision and BMI has no impact on complications.

Minimizing opioid consumption by eliminating patient-controlled analgesia after penile inversion vaginoplasty with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol

BACKGROUND

Genital-based gender affirmation surgery is a physically demanding procedure requiring extensive postoperative pain management. However, perioperative opioid use for these procedures is relatively understudied.

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzes whether intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) enhances pain control after penile inversion vaginoplasty (PIV) in the setting of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, and whether non-PCA (NCA)-based regimens could reduce postoperative opioid use.

METHODS

All patients undergoing PIV with ERAS protocols by a single provider from December 2018 to November 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, comorbid conditions, pain scores, length of stay (LOS), and opioid usage during their hospitalization were collected. Postoperative opioid use and pain scores were compared between PCA and NCA patient cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 61 patients were included. 30 patients received intravenous PCA postoperatively, and 31 patients used NCA-based narcotic pain control. All patients underwent ERAS protocol perioperatively. Average patient age was 34.5 years (SD 11.9) in the PCA cohort and 37.6 years (SD 11.9) in the NCA cohort (p = 0.242). Average total postoperative opioid use during hospital stay was reduced by 53.7% in the NCA cohort, with an average use of 501.6 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) (SD 410.3) among PCA patients and an average use of 232.0 MME (SD 216.5) among NCA patients (p = 0.003). Daily average pain scores for postoperative days 1 to 6 did not differ between the PCA and NCA patient groups (p > 0.05). Average hospital LOS was shorter among NCA patients, 6.2 days (SD 1.0) versus 7.3 days (SD 1.4), respectively, (p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

In combination with an ERAS non-narcotic pain control protocol, it may be possible to reduce opioid use by more than 50% and shorten length of postoperative hospital stay among patients by implementing NCA pain management protocols.

CONCLUSION

Minimizing postoperative opioid consumption after PIV will benefit patients and their sustained well-being.

Requirement of Mental-Health Referral Letters for Staged and Revision Genital Gender-Affirming Surgeries: An Unsanctioned Barrier to Care

BACKGROUND

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) recommends referral letters from two mental-health providers within one year of gender-affirming genital surgery (gGAS) to ensure patient readiness before primary surgeries. Many U.S. health-insurance plans will not authorize second- and third-stage surgeries or revision surgeries without two referral letters. Such requirements are not supported by WPATH guidelines.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates insurance requirements for referral letters and their negative impact on care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all gGAS cases over a 4-year period at our tertiary care medical center. Referral-letter requirements for insurance authorization were documented. The nation's largest insurance companies, including commercial, state-, and federally funded plans, were contacted to confirm requirements. We prospectively recorded time needed to complete insurance authorization for a patient subset. WPATH publications were reviewed.

RESULTS

Nearly all reviewed U.S. health-insurance plans required annually updated referral letters for each gGAS procedure, including staged and revision surgeries. No updated letters changed clinical management. Referral-letter requirements delayed care. WPATH states that letters should not be needed for staged surgeries. Some plans required letters even for initial surgical consultation, a practice not supported by WPATH.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Insurance companies' requirements for referral letters impede care and contradict WPATH guidelines. We advocate that, at minimum, referral letters should not be required for surgical consultations or for staged or revision surgeries after a patient has already had first-stage primary gGAS. Universal referral-letter requirements provide minimal clinical value, delay care, increase costs, and exacerbate gender dysphoria by invalidating gender transition. As with all procedures, surgeons themselves should be responsible for assessing patients' surgical readiness. Significant changes in mental-health status or social situation should prompt surgeons to seek reassessment. WPATH recommendations regarding referral letters should be clarified and consolidated into a single document.

Penile inversion vaginoplasty outcomes: Complications and satisfaction

Penile inversion vaginoplasty helps to alleviate gender dysphoria and improve quality of life in many transgender individuals. Overall, the procedure is associated with high post-operative satisfaction, even when complications occur. Adverse events related to vaginoplasty are commensurate with other genitourinary reconstructive procedures performed for other diagnoses (ie, cancer or congenital issues). Here, we explore the incidence of complications following vaginoplasty, emphasizing the challenges in defining and managing these adverse events. In addition, outcome measures to assess patient satisfaction will be reviewed.

An Updated Overview of Gender Dysphoria and Gender Affirmation Surgery: What Every Plastic Surgeon Should Know

Gender dysphoria refers to the medical condition experienced by individuals whose physical anatomy is not consistent with their gender identity. Surgery is a safe and effective treatment for many individuals, yet the current demand for surgery exceeds the number of trained surgeons. This article reviews gender-affirming surgical procedures and emphasizes an individualized approach within the context of a multidisciplinary team. We review pre-, intra-, and postoperative care including the preoperative requirements for surgery.

Vaginal Canal Reconstruction in Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty with Flaps, Peritoneum, or Skin Grafts: Where Is the Evidence?

BACKGROUND

To optimize neovaginal dimensions, several modifications of the traditional penile inversion vaginoplasty are described. Options for neovaginal lining include skin grafts, scrotal flaps, urethral flaps, and peritoneum. Implications of these techniques on outcomes remain limited.

METHODS

A systematic review of recent literature was performed to assess evidence on various vaginal lining options as adjunct techniques in penile inversion vaginoplasty. Study characteristics, neovaginal depth, donor-site morbidity, lubrication, and complications were analyzed in conjunction with expert opinion.

RESULTS

Eight case series and one cohort study representing 1622 patients used additional skin grafts when performing penile inversion vaginoplasty. Neovaginal stenosis ranged from 1.2 to 12 percent, and neovaginal necrosis ranged from 0 to 22.8 percent. Patient satisfaction with lubrication was low in select studies. Three studies used scrotal flaps to line the posterior vaginal canal. Average neovaginal depth was 12 cm in one study, and neovaginal stenosis ranged from 0 to 6.3 percent. In one study of 24 patients, urethral flaps were used to line the neovagina. Neovaginal depth was 11 cm and complication rates were comparable to other series. Two studies used robotically assisted peritoneal flaps with or without skin grafts in 49 patients. Average neovaginal depth was approximately 14 cm, and complication rates were low.

CONCLUSIONS

Skin grafts, scrotal flaps, urethral flaps, and peritoneal flaps may be used to augment neovaginal canal dimensions with minimal donor-site morbidity. Further direct comparative data on complications, neovaginal depth, and lubrication are needed to assess indications in addition to advantages and disadvantages of the various lining options.

Complications and Patient-reported Outcomes in Transfemale Vaginoplasty: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

Vaginoplasty aims to create a functional feminine vagina, sensate clitoris, and labia minora and majora with acceptable cosmesis. The upward trend in the number of transfemale vaginoplasties has impacted the number of published articles on this topic. Herein, we conducted an updated systematic review on complications and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods:

A update on our previous systematic review was conducted. Several databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus were assessed. Random effects meta-analysis and subgroup analyses were performed.

Results:

After compiling the results of the update with the previous systematic review, a total of 57 studies pooling 4680 cases were included in the systematic review, and 52 studies were used in the meta-analysis. Overall pooled data including any surgical technique showed rates of 1% [95% confidence interval (CI) <0.1%–2%] of fistula, 11% (95% CI 8%–14%) of stenosis and/or strictures, 4% (95% CI 1%–9%) of tissue necrosis, and 3% (95% CI 1%–4%) of prolapse. Overall satisfaction was 91% (81%–98%). Regret rate was 2% (95% CI <1%–3%). Average neovaginal depth was 9.4 cm (7.9–10.9 cm) for the penile skin inversion and 15.3 cm (13.8–16.7 cm) for the intestinal vaginoplasty.

Conclusions:

Transfemale vaginoplasty is a key component of the comprehensive surgical treatment of transfemale patients with gender dysphoria. Over time, we will see an increased demand for these procedures, so adequate surgical training, clinical/surgical experience, and research outcomes are required, as we continue to strive to provide the best care possible for a population in need.

A review of gender affirmation surgery: What we know, and what we need to know

BACKGROUND

Gender-affirmation surgery is a rapidly growing field in plastic surgery, urologic surgery, and gynecologic surgery. These procedures offer significant benefit to patients in reducing gender dysphoria and improving well-being. However, the details of gender-affirmation surgery are less well-known to other surgical subspecialties and other medical subspecialties. The data behind gender-affirmation surgery are comparatively sparse, and due to the recency of the field, large gaps exist in the literature.

METHODS

PubMed searches were carried out specific to gender-affirming mastectomies, vaginoplasty, vulvaplasty, mastectomy, metoidioplasty, and phalloplasty. Combinations and variants of "gender affirming," "gender confirming," "transgender," and other variants were used to ensure broad capture. Historical articles were also reviewed. The data gathered were collated and summarized.

RESULTS

Gender-affirmation surgery is generally safe. Complication rates for gender-affirming mastectomy and breast augmentation are very low, and complication rates for genital surgeries are also reasonably low. Gender-affirmation surgery decreases rates of gender dysphoria, depression, and suicidality, and significantly improves quality-of-life measures. Data regarding facial gender-affirming surgery are limited. There are very few patient-reported outcome measures specific to gender-affirmation surgery.

CONCLUSION

Although the data behind male-to-female gender-affirming surgery are more robust, there are significant gaps in the literature with respect to female-to-male surgery, surgical complication rates for genital surgery, facial masculinization and feminization, and patient-reported outcomes. We therefore present recommendations for further study.

Transfeminine Gender Confirmation Surgery with Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty: An Initial Experience

To detail the early experience with and results of a transfeminine (TF) genital reconstruction at an established plastic surgery practice in Western New York.

Methods

Between June 2016 and June 2019, 30 patients underwent penile inversion vaginoplasty for TF gender reassignment. All patients fulfilled World Professional Association for Transgender Health and NY State criteria for reassignment surgery. All surgeries were carried out at a large, government-owned tertiary care center.

Results

There were 30 patients in this retrospective study, with a mean age of 37 years (SD 5.4) and a mean body mass index of 27.3 kg/m² (SD 3.2 kg/m²). Nineteen patients never smoked, 4 were former smokers, and 7 were current smokers. Primary surgery was an orchiectomy and modified single-stage penile inversion vaginoplasty. Mean operative time was 6.0 hours. Mean initial hospital stay was 8.2 days. Three of the 30 (10%) patients required transfusion. There were 6 (20%) complications. Three complications (10%) required reoperation: 1 patient for wound dehiscence on postoperative day 7, 1 for rectal perforation identified on postoperative day 10, and 1 for urethrovaginal fistula. All complications were addressed without sequalae. Twenty of the 30 (66%) patients have undergone revision surgery. Indications for revision were prolapse correction/deepening, labiaplasty, clitoral hood construction/revision, meatal asymmetry, urinary fistula repair, and posterior vaginal flap revision. Twenty-one of 28 (75%) revisions were outpatient surgeries. There were no complications from these procedures. Overall satisfaction via survey was 92% (24 respondents).

Conclusions

TF gender reassignment is a novel, challenging set of procedures for the specialty of plastic surgery. With appropriate consideration and technique, penile inversion vaginoplasty is a safe, effective means of achieving this goal.

Adverse events associated with gender affirming vaginoplasty surgery

BACKGROUND

There is an abundance of reports on the surgical techniques for vaginoplasty surgery. However, careful review reveals a paucity of evidence-based data in addition to few reports on outcomes related to all of the varying techniques.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the perioperative adverse events related to vaginoplasty surgery for transgender women and to determine a threshold case number needed to reduce adverse events.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective study of all women who underwent vaginoplasty surgery for gender affirmation at a tertiary care center. All cases were performed by a single board-certified female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery specialist. Women were included if 6-month outcomes were available. Once patients were identified, perioperative data were collected. Comparisons of adverse events and perioperative outcomes were made between varying threshold case numbers to determine the case number needed to significantly reduce adverse events. An a priori review of the literature was done to determine the incidence of commonly reported adverse events, and these incidences were used as a frame of reference to determine a threshold case number needed to replicate these reported incidence rates. Once this threshold was determined, outcomes were compared between cases performed before and after this threshold.

RESULTS

Between December 2015 and March 2019, 76 vaginoplasty surgeries were performed. Six-month outcomes data were available for all patients. Mean age and body mass index of all patients were 41 (±17) years and 27.3 (±5.1) kg/m², respectively. Median (range) time on hormone therapy preceding surgery was 36 (12-360) months, and 7.9% (6) of patients had undergone previous orchiectomy. Of the patients, 83.4% (71) underwent full-depth vaginoplasty, whereas the remaining patients underwent a zero-depth procedure. Median (range) surgical time was 210 (138-362) minutes. Median (range) follow-up for all patients was 12.5 (6-50) months. The incidence of any intraoperative adverse event was 2.6% (95% confidence interval, 1.8-4.1) for all patients, whereas the incidence of any immediate (<30 days) and delayed (>30 days and <6 months) postoperative event was 19% (95% confidence interval, 16.4-22.2) and 25% (95% confidence interval, 22.4-28.4), respectively. Performance of 50 cases was identified to be a threshold that reduced adverse events in both clinically and statistically significant ways. Cases performed after the first 50 cases had lower surgical times (187 (138-224) vs 240 (162-362) minutes, P<.0001), a lower incidence of delayed postoperative adverse events (15.4% vs 36%, P=.007), including a lower incidence of urinary stream abnormalities, introital stenosis, and the need for revision surgery. The incidence of intraoperative and immediate adverse events was not different between the groups.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of serious adverse events related to vaginoplasty surgery is low, whereas minor events are common. After a threshold of 50 vaginoplasty surgeries, these events were reduced, including the need for revision surgery.