Outcomes in Facial Feminization Surgery: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Transgender Health
• Medical Literature Analysis

Background:

• Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is a critical component of gender-affirming care for transgender individuals.
• Standardized outcome reporting is essential for evaluating surgical effectiveness and patient satisfaction.
• Existing literature on FFS outcomes requires synthesis to identify trends and inconsistencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the existing literature on facial feminization surgery (FFS) outcomes in the transgender population.
• To assess the heterogeneity in reported outcomes and outcome measures used in FFS studies.
• To identify the extent of consensus and the variety of outcome measures employed.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases.
• Included studies reporting on FFS interventions for transgender patients.
• Analyzed primary outcomes (number of outcomes/measures) and secondary outcomes (clinimetric properties, study characteristics).

Main Results:

• Fifteen articles were included in the review.
• Sixty-nine distinct outcomes and 12 different outcome measures were identified.
• None of the identified outcome measures were validated, reliable, or responsive for FFS patients.

Conclusions:

• Significant heterogeneity exists in the outcomes and measures reported in FFS literature.
• There is a lack of standardized and validated outcome measures for evaluating FFS in transgender individuals.
• Further research is needed to establish reliable and consistent outcome assessment tools for FFS.