[Social support in gender reassignment surgery].
BACKGROUND
Gender reassignment surgery (GRS) can lead to discrimination. This transition makes great demands on the individual and also affects the social environment.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the social support of male-to-female (MtF) transgender people.


METHODS
Group A comprised 254 consecutive MtF transsexuals, who received a penile inversion vaginoplasty between 2004 and 2010. These women were surveyed retrospectively. Group B comprised 144 consecutive MtF transsexuals who presented for preoperative counselling. These patients were asked to answer the survey in advance of the planned GRS.


RESULTS
The return rate was 46.9 % (A) and 95.1 % (B). In both groups, approximately two-thirds lived with their parents or children at ease. About 13.4 % (A) and 16.9 % (B) estimated the relationship towards their parents and one- seventh (A) or one-sixth (B) woman rated their relationship towards their children as poor. The acceptance of the parents regarding GRS was 65.6 % (A) and 77.1 % (B). In total 20 % (A) and 9.2 % (B) did not, however, accept GRS in their children. The acceptance of children regarding GRS was 64.9 % (A) and 71.1 % (B) with 10.8 % (A) and 6.7 % (B) who did not approve the decision.


CONCLUSIONS
Social support is an important resource in the context of gender reassignment surgery. Understanding can help to improve the situation for transsexuals and to reduce consecutive healthcare utilisation.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Uroonkologie und Kinderurologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland. jochen.hess@uk-essen.de.
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J
Hess
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Uroonkologie und Kinderurologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.
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I
Kurth
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Uroonkologie und Kinderurologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.
A
A
Henkel
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Uroonkologie und Kinderurologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.|Hausarztpraxis van Hal, Essen, Deutschland.
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Panic
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Uroonkologie und Kinderurologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.
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H
Rübben
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Uroonkologie und Kinderurologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.|Clinica Urologia, General Hospital Ernesto Simoes Filho, Salvador, Brasilien.
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Rossi Neto
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Uroonkologie und Kinderurologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland.
Y
Y
Hess-Busch
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D057829:Gender-Affirming Procedures / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D063507:Sexism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
Acceptance; Gender reassignment surgery; Male-to-female; Social support; Transgender