Differences in Surgical Practices for Transgender Mastectomy

Researchers: Ali R. Abtahi, DO, MSc Grant Award: ASERF Interim Grant Amount Awarded: $2,300 Project Name: Differences in Surgical Practices for Transgender Mastectomy Project Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the differences in surgical practices among surgeons performing transgender mastectomies throughout the United States. Currently, no evidence-based “best practices” or standards of care have been developed for chest masculinization, particularly regarding appropriate preoperative evaluation, surgical approaches, protocols for handling breast specimens, and postoperative screening and/or referral regimens. Our goal is to report on the varying practices among surgeons throughout the United States and how such factors such as practice type (private vs. academic vs. hospital employment), region or payment model (insurance vs. self-pay vs. crowd sourcing vs. Medicaid) may affect pre/post-operative management and/or operative decision-making. We hope to better understand what practice patterns are most common, the rationale behind these practices, and determine whether these procedures would benefit from formal guidelines established by an American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (The Aesthetic Society) or American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) sanctioned expert panel.