A review of major reconstructive and gender-affirming surgical techniques in genital surgery and care for the transgender patient population

The transgender community makes up a significant portion of the American population, yet there is a paucity of data available to surgeons and anesthesiologists. The purpose of this article is to provide information to surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other medical professionals. This narrative review explores the importance of medical information that healthcare professionals should be aware of ahead of gender-affirming surgeries. This review paper's purpose is to explore perioperative considerations for physicians before gender-affirming surgeries. Physicians should be aware of the hormone therapies, medical conditions, and physical alteration procedures associated with the transgender population. It is also of significant importance that doctors are aware of how to approach surgery during the intraoperative period. Physicians should be knowledgeable about the proper dosage and interactions corresponding to certain drugs and incorporate proper surgical management to prevent the risk of patients sustaining an injury. Following gender-affirming surgery, physicians should be aware of the postsurgical pain, nausea, and vomiting exhibited by their patients and address these issues accordingly. Vaginoplasties, metoidioplasties, and phalloplasties are all unique procedures and therefore require different postoperative care. It is through better familiarization with the complex needs of transgender patients and gender-affirming surgical procedures that physi- cians will develop a more inclusive quality of care for this disadvantaged population. The im- portance of professionals being informed regarding transgender-specific issues and treatment lies in improving the quality of treatment and care provided to this underserved population. (c) 2024 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.