Genitoplasty in male-to-female transsexuals.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Feminizing genitoplasty in male-to-female transsexuals is gaining significant importance within society. Our aim is to evaluate current articles and assess scientific validity of the recent literature (January 2008 to June 2009) of male-to-female gender-reassignment surgery.

RECENT FINDINGS: This is a very difficult and demanding field of surgery, often followed by many complications that have an impact on long-term results, quality of life and general patient satisfaction. In the last 18 months, there were only a few articles that deserve attention. Small advances are made in surgical technique, especially of aesthetics of external genitalia, which now closely resemble a natural woman, in creation of mons veneris using albugineal strip and some useful anatomical remarks regarding surgical procedure. Two articles evaluate long-term and medium-term surgical outcomes and one describes surgical complications. One study deals with body composition, volumetric and areal bone density 3 years after surgery.

SUMMARY: In the last 18 months, there are only several works regarding surgical technique in male-to-female feminizing genitoplasty, which may have impact on clinical practice, whereas one work researches negative implications of hormonal treatment and surgery on bone and body composition.