[Sex reassignment surgery in transsexuals]

Area of Science:

• Medical Science
• Surgical Procedures
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Rikshospitalet serves as Norway's national center for treating transsexual patients.
• Annually, 50-70 patients undergo assessment, with approximately 20 diagnosed as transsexual.
• Around 15 individuals per year proceed to sex reassignment surgery after hormone therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the diagnostic criteria for transsexualism.
• To detail the surgical procedures for sex reassignment.
• To emphasize the surgical aspects of gender affirmation.

Main Methods:

• The study is based on a non-systematic literature review.
• Clinical experience from Rikshospitalet is incorporated.
• Patient evaluation protocols for surgery are described.

Main Results:

• Surgical candidates require at least one year of psychiatric evaluation and one year of endocrine treatment.
• Male-to-female surgery may include breast augmentation and genital construction (neovagina, neoclitoris).
• Female-to-male surgery options include breast reduction, hysterectomy, and neopenis construction (metaidoioplasty or phalloplasty).

Conclusions:

• Sex reassignment surgery primarily involves procedures on the breasts and genitalia.
• Surgical outcomes are contingent on patient response to hormone therapy and specific procedures chosen.