Gender Confirmation Surgery: Guiding Principles

Abstract

BackgroundAt this time, no formal training or educational programs exist for surgeons or surgery residents interested in performing gender confirmation surgeries. AimTo propose guiding principles designed to aid with the development of formal surgical training programs focused on gender confirmation surgery. MethodsWe use expert opinion to provide a “first of its kind” framework for training surgeons to care for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. OutcomesWe describe a multidisciplinary treatment model that describes an educational philosophy and the institution of quality parameters. ResultsThis article represents the first step in the development of a structured educational program for surgical training in gender confirmation procedures. Clinical ImplicationsThe World Professional Association for Transgender Health Board of Directors unanimously approved this article as the framework for surgical training. Strengths and LimitationsThis article builds a framework for surgical training. It is designed to provide concepts that will likely be modified over time and based on additional data and evidence gathered through outcome measurements. ConclusionWe present an initial step in the formation of educational and technical guidelines for training surgeons in gender confirmation procedures.Schechter LS, D'Arpa S, Cohen MN, et al. Gender Confirmation Surgery: Guiding Principles. J Sex Med 2017;14:852–856.