How to do the Pisces mastectomy for female-to-male top surgery

Abstract

Gender-affirming mastectomy ('top surgery') is one of the most commonly requested and performed procedures in the transgender and non-binary population. The goal of female-to-male (FtM) surgery is to treat gender dysphoria by creating an aesthetically pleasing male chest, achieved by removing excess breast tissue and skin, and repositioning and resizing the nipple-areola complex. We present a modification of the double-incision, mastectomy with free nipple graft (DIFNG) technique that we have called the ‘Pisces’ mastectomy as it is common for fish to exhibit gender fluidity. With some imagination, the skin excision could also be considered fish-shaped. This technique achieves the goals of surgery, provides good access for haemostasis and decreases the need for revision surgery by adequate removal of ‘dog ears’ medially and laterally.