New algorithm for chest-wall surgery and quality of life assessment in female-to-male reassignment patients

Background: Chest-wall contouring surgery (chest-wall reconstructive surgery) is often the first surgical procedure in female-to-male (FtM) gender reassignment surgery (GRS). The main goal of this procedure is to create an aesthetically pleasing male-like chest contour. No universally accepted algorithm exists for detection of the appropriate surgical technique. Also, there is no tool for objective evaluation of the quality of life and satisfaction of these patients after the operation. Methods: This study involves a single-center clinical trial assessing the patients who underwent subcutaneous mastectomy in FtM GRS between 2003 and 2019. The selection of patients was based on the new "simplified"algorithm consisting of 2 different surgical techniques: the semicircular and the double-incision with free nipple grafting. The selection was based on 3 criteria: breasts size, breast ptosis, and skin elasticity. The outcomes and complication rates were collected and analyzed. The patients' satisfaction and Quality of Life was assessed with a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire, specifically conceived for FtM patients. The aesthetic evaluation was performed using a 5-point Likert scale dealing with the 5 items featuring as the main goals of GRS. Results: 184 mastectomies were performed in 92 FtM GRS patients. The overall reoperation rate was 11.9%. The patient survey revealed both a high satisfaction rate and a good aesthetic result (4.4/5). Conclusions: The proposed algorithm facilitates the selection of the most suitable technique for top surgery. The patient satisfaction rate evaluated by the proposed Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire confirmed the outcomes of the use of the algorithm. Further studies to validate the proposed evaluating tools are needed.