Spectrum, Procedural Feasibility, and the Value of a Surgeon's Opinion in Varying Gender-Affirming Surgeries.

Abstract

The understanding of gender has expanded contributing to gaps in gender-affirming care. Traditional gender-affirming surgeries focus on binary results, diminishing room for affirmation of other identities. Surgeons are faced with the challenge of deciding whether a variation of gender-affirming surgery can be safely performed per request. The ethical question of when a surgeon may say yes or no to these varying requests comes after the consideration of premorbid conditions, body habitus, age, social and family support, individuals' goals, and risk assessment. Preoperative evaluations must take into account surgical experience, barriers to care, increased risk profile, and the surgeon's personal biases.