[Surgical treatment of male-to-female transsexuals: a ten-year experience assessment]

From May 1995 to March 2005 sixty-three consecutive male-to-female gender transformation surgeries were performed at our university center by one author. Our retrospective study collected data from medical records, questionnaire and physical examination. Fifty-nine percent of patients had autologous blood transfusion. Histological examination of testicles found beginning cancer in 1 case. After a-8-year initial period where secondary bilateral Z-plasties were systematically performed, this procedure was abandoned because it left unnatural visible scars. Excluding haematomas (9 cases), we found 8 major complications (12,6%): 1 rectal lesion, 1 leg compression, 5 skin necrosis of the vaginoplasty (total necrosis in 2 cases, partial necrosis in 2 cases, necrosis of full-thickness skin graft in 1 case), and 1 secondary post-traumatic rectovaginal fistula. The questionnaire was completed by 22 patients with a-45-month mean follow-up. Results were graded on a 0 to 10 scale. Mean grades were global satisfaction: 7.6, life quality: 8.4, genitalia appearance: 8.0, clitoris sensitivity: 8.4, urinary function: 8.3, vaginal function: 7.2, sexual function: 7.0. Rate of general satisfaction was high. In a few cases however, patients expressed some disappointment both in being considered as women in their daily living and in having sexual intercourse. These poor results seem clearly related to unfavourable anatomical and morphological initial conditions. Our series demonstrates that surgical treatment of psychiatric disorders meets physical limitations.