Temporal Trends in Gender Affirmation Surgery Among Transgender and Non-Binary Minors

Over the last decade, a greater number of transgender or non-binary (TGNB) minors have been seeking gender affirmation surgery (GAS). Given the recent concerns about the potential harm of GAS in TGNB minors, we sought to determine the incidence and postoperative outcomes of GAS among TGNB minors.

We retrospectively reviewed the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Pediatric database, 2018-2021, for minors aged 17 years or younger. The primary outcome was the frequency and type of GAS plotted over time. The secondary outcome was the incidence of postoperative complications within 30 days following GAS. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Linear regression was performed to assess the association between the incidence of GAS and time in years.

A total of 108 TGNB minors were identified. The mean (SD) age was 16.9 (0.8) years without significant variation over time. There was a significant increase in the number of GAS per year over four years (P<.001). Nevertheless, only two (1.9%) patients underwent GAS below the age of 15 (13.9 and 14.5 years). Chest masculinization surgery (CMS) was the predominant procedure type among TGNB minors (n=102, 94.4%). There was no incidence of major complications (mortality, bleeding, sepsis, unplanned intubation) except for unplanned reoperation for hematoma evacuation (n=3, 2.8%). The incidence of minor complications (surgical site infection, wound dehiscence) was low (n=1, 0.9%), each).

GAS in minors, primarily in the form of CMS, has been increasing over time. CMS in minors is a safe procedure with rare complications.