Differences in Surgical Complications for Stage 1 Phalloplasty With Concurrent Versus Asynchronous Hysterectomy in...

Background The authors sought to compare the perioperative morbidity of Stage 1 phalloplasty with asynchronous vs concurrent hysterectomy among transmasculine patients. Methods This retrospective study included transmasculine patients undergoing Stage 1 phalloplasty with either asynchronous or concurrent hysterectomy at Kaiser Permanente Northern California from January 1, 2017, to September 9, 2019. The primary outcome was differences in surgical site infection rates. Secondary outcomes included perioperative and other postoperative complications. Comparisons of demographics and outcomes were made by F-tests and Fisher's exact tests. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Of 66 transmasculine patients undergoing Stage 1 phalloplasty, 32 (48%) had an asynchronous hysterectomy and 34 (52%) had a concurrent hysterectomy. Overall, surgical site infection rates were low, and there were no significant differences between groups. Patients who had undergone asynchronous hysterectomy had more neourethral complications with Stage 1 phalloplasty than those undergoing concurrent procedures (28% vs 3%, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in estimated blood loss, length of stay, urinary tract infection, overactive bladder or narcotic use between groups. Conclusion Overall, there were no differences between groups in most postoperative complication rates. Although more neourethral complications were found in those undergoing asynchronous hysterectomy prior to Stage I phalloplasty, this may be partially explained by increasing surgeon experience over time given this difference did not remain statistically significant after the first year of the study period. Gynecologists seeking to provide comprehensive and inclusive care to transmasculine patients should take these findings into consideration when counseling patients planning genital gender affirmation surgery.