Male-to-female transsexualism: technique, results and 3-year follow-up in 50 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the functional and cosmetic results of male-to-female gender-transforming surgery.


METHODS
Between May 2001 and April 2008 we performed 50 male-to-female gender-transforming surgeries. All patients had been cross-dressing, living as women, and receiving estrogen and progesterone for at least 12 months, which was sufficient for breast development and atrophy of the testes and prostate to occur. This hormonal therapy was suspended 1 month before the operation.


RESULTS
The mean operative time was 190 min and the mean depth of the vagina was 10 cm. On follow-up, the most common complication (10%) was shrinkage of the neovagina, which could be corrected by a second surgical intervention. Of the 50 patients, 45 (90%) were satisfied with the esthetic results; 42 patients (84%) reported having regular sexual intercourse, 2 of whom had pain during intercourse. Of the 50 patients, 35 (70%) reported achieving clitoral orgasm.


CONCLUSIONS
Male-to-female gender-transforming surgery can assure satisfactory cosmetic and functional results, with a reduced intra- and postoperative morbidity. Nevertheless the experience of the surgeon and the center remains central to obtaining optimal results.
Wagner
Sigrid
S
Clinic of Urology and Kidney Transplantation, Martin Luther University, Halle/Saale, Germany. sigrid.wagner@medizin.uni-halle.de
Greco
F
F
Hoda
M R
MR
Inferrera
A
A
Lupo
A
A
Hamza
A
A
Fornara
P
P
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000601:surgery*; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000379:methods