[Mastectomy, the initial surgical procedure in transgender patients]

In our society, the number of gender affirming surgeries is increasing. Mastectomy is usually the initial surgical procedure performed for the treatment of gender dysphoria in transgender men. It has been shown to improve quality of life and to promote assimilation into the new genre. Creating an aesthetic male chest requires adjustment of the breast tissue volume, proper placement of nipple areola complex, and removal of the inframammary fold. Although many papers have been published on this topic, there is still no consensus as to which surgical technique should be preferred. This article deals with the procedures performed in our plastic surgery department at CHU in Liège and reviews the literature relating to the various surgical techniques, postoperative complications as well as patient satisfaction.