Role of Perioperative Trauma-Informed Care in Gender-Affirming Surgery.

Abstract

Despite advances and expansion in the field of gender-affirming surgery (GAS) in recent years, perioperative care quality remains an area for improvement. Transgender and gender-diverse patients experience disproportionately high rates of intimate partner violence and sexual trauma, making them particularly vulnerable to re-traumatization while engaging in perioperative care for GAS. Implementing trauma-informed care (TIC) practices across preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and institutional phases can improve safety, trust, and patient outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes literature from 2015 to 2025 to outline a framework for integrating TIC principles across the surgical continuum. Embedding TIC within GAS represents not only a pathway to surgical excellence but also a critical step toward equity, psychological safety, and healing in gender-affirming health care.