Long-Term Regret and Satisfaction With Decision Following Gender-Affirming Mastectomy

Anesthesia for gender-affirming surgery: a practical review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Gender-affirming surgery (GAS) is an effective, well studied, and often necessary component of gender-affirming care and mitigation of gender dysphoria for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals. GAS is categorized as chest surgeries, genitourinary surgeries, facial feminization/masculinization, and vocal phonosurgery. Despite increased incidence of GAS during recent years, there is a gap in knowledge and training on perioperative care for TGD patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Our review discusses the relevant anesthetic considerations for the most common GAS, which often involve highly specialized surgical techniques that have unique implications for the anesthesia professional.

SUMMARY

Anesthesiology professionals must attend to the surgical and anesthetic nuances of various GAS procedures. However, as many considerations are based on common practice, research is warranted on anesthetic implications and outcomes of GAS.

Assessing the Content and Effect of Web-Based Decision Aids for Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Web-based decision aids have been shown to have a positive effect when used to improve the quality of decision-making for women facing postmastectomy breast reconstruction (PMBR). However, the existing findings regarding these interventions are still incongruent, and the overall effect is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the content of web-based decision aids and its impact on decision-related outcomes (ie, decision conflict, decision regret, informed choice, and knowledge), psychological-related outcomes (ie, satisfaction and anxiety), and surgical decision-making in women facing PMBR.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A total of 6 databases, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science Core Collection, were searched starting at the time of establishment of the databases to May 2023, and an updated search was conducted on April 1, 2024. MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms and text words were used. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for randomized controlled trials was used to assess the risk of bias. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.

RESULTS

In total, 7 studies included 579 women and were published between 2008 and 2023, and the sample size in each study ranged from 26 to 222. The results showed that web-based decision aids used audio and video to present the pros and cons of PMBR versus no PMBR, implants versus flaps, and immediate versus delayed PMBR and the appearance and feel of the PMBR results and the expected recovery time with photographs of actual patients. Web-based decision aids help improve PMBR knowledge, decisional conflict (mean difference [MD]=-5.43, 95% CI -8.87 to -1.99; P=.002), and satisfaction (standardized MD=0.48, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.95; P=.05) but have no effect on informed choice (MD=-2.80, 95% CI -8.54 to 2.94; P=.34), decision regret (MD=-1.55, 95% CI -6.00 to 2.90 P=.49), or anxiety (standardized MD=0.04, 95% CI -0.50 to 0.58; P=.88). The overall Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation quality of the evidence was low.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that the web-based decision aids provide a modern, low-cost, and high dissemination rate effective method to promote the improved quality of decision-making in women undergoing PMBR.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42023450496; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=450496.

Puberty Suppression for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria and the Child's Right to an Open Future

In this essay, we consider the clinical and ethical implications of puberty blockers for pediatric gender dysphoria through the lens of "the child's right to an open future," which refers to rights that children do not have the capacity to exercise as minors, but that must be protected, so they can exercise them in the future as autonomous adults. We contrast the open future principle with the beliefs underpinning the gender affirming care model and discuss implications for consent. We evaluate claims that puberty blockers are reversible, discuss the scientific uncertainty about long-term benefits and harms, summarize international developments, and examine how suicide has been used to frame puberty suppression as a medically necessary, lifesaving treatment. In discussing these issues, we include relevant empirical evidence and raise questions for clinicians and researchers. We conclude that treatment pathways that delay decisions about medical transition until the child has had the chance to grow and mature into an autonomous adulthood would be most consistent with the open future principle.

A systematic review of patient regret after surgery- A common phenomenon in many specialties but rare within gender-affirmation surgery

Regret after gender-affirming surgery (GAS) is a complex issue. Comparing regret after GAS to regret after plastic surgery operations and other major life decisions is a novel approach that can provide insight into the magnitude of this issue. A systematic review of three databases was conducted to investigate regret after common plastic surgery operations. Three separate literature reviews on regret after GAS, regret after elective operations, and regret after major life decisions were performed. A total of 55 articles examining regret after plastic surgery were included. The percentage of patients reporting regret ranged from 0 to 47.1 ​% in breast reconstruction, 5.1-9.1 ​% in breast augmentation, and 10.82-33.3 ​% in body contouring. In other surgical subspecialties, 30 ​% of patients experience regret following prostatectomy and up to 19.5 ​% following bariatric surgery. Rate of regret after GAS is approximately 1 ​%. Other life decisions, such as having children and getting a tattoo have regret rates of 7 ​% and 16.2 ​%, respectively. When comparing regret after GAS to regret after other surgeries and major life decisions, the percentage of patients experiencing regret is extremely low.

Gender affirming care for the minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Given the current political climate and the release of an updated version of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health's guidelines, this review assesses recent updates in the care of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients, specifically related to care provided by gynecologists.

RECENT FINDINGS

The number of people identifying as TGD and pursuing gender affirming care is increasing. Contraception for these patients is underdiscussed and high rates of pelvic pain and irregular bleeding were identified. Rates of regret are low following gender affirming surgeries, and studies have repeatedly shown their benefits for gender dysphoria. A minimally invasive approach is recommended for gender affirming hysterectomy, and the decision to proceed with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy should be based on shared decision making. Surgical techniques include ensuring an adequate margin when taking the infundibulopelvic ligament, and consideration for two-layer vaginal cuff closure.

SUMMARY

Gynecologists play a key role in the care of TGD patients. Recent reviews have found extensive gaps in our knowledge, including a lack of guidelines for cancer prevention, effects of testosterone on benign conditions, and the long-term effects of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy on health outcomes for patients on testosterone.

A History of Gender-Affirming Surgery at the University of Michigan: Lessons for Today

The University of Michigan has played an important role in advancing gender-affirming surgery programs in the United States. The University of Michigan was home to a little-known gender identity clinic shortly after the opening of the first such clinic at Johns Hopkins. Since 1995, the University of Michigan Comprehensive Services Program (UMCGSP) has been continually offering surgical services to transgender and gender diverse patients. Here, we present the history of both programs, drawn from program documents and oral history, and explore their implications for the future sustainability of gender-affirming surgery programs. The original gender identity clinic opened in 1968, and operated in a multidisciplinary fashion, similar to other clinics at the time. Eventually, the clinic was closed due to disinvestment and lack of sufficient providers to maintain the program, problems which are being increasingly recognized as barriers for similar programs. The modern program, UMCGSP is perhaps the longest continually running gender-affirming surgical program at an academic center. In spite of challenges, key investments in education, statewide community engagement, and the development of a comprehensive care model have helped UMCGSP avoid the pitfalls of the earlier clinic and remain relevant throughout its nearly 30-year history. In the face of rising challenges to gender-affirming care in the United States, much can be learned from the sustainability of the UMCGSP. Institutions seeking to maintain gender-affirming surgery programs should ensure the availability of comprehensive care and promote the education of the health care workforce.

Postoperative Regret Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Recipients of Gender-Affirming Surgery

This Viewpoint examines prevalence of and factors associated with surgical regret among transgender and gender-diverse individuals who undergo gender-affirming surgery.