Geographic Variability of Genital Gender-Affirming Surgery Centers and Costs of Hospitalization.

PURPOSE: The cost of gender-affirming surgery (GAS) is an important component of healthcare accessibility for transgender patients. However, GAS is often prohibitively expensive, particularly as there are inconsistencies in insurance coverages. Variability in hospital costs has been documented for other types of nonplastic surgery procedures; however, this analysis has not been done for GAS. To better understand the financial barriers impairing access to equitable transgender care, this study analyzes the distribution of hospitals that perform genital GAS and the associated costs of inpatient genital GAS. METHODS: This is a study of the 2016-2019 National Inpatient Sample database. Transgender patients undergoing genital GAS were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, diagnosis and procedure codes, and patients undergoing concurrent chest wall GAS were excluded. Descriptive statistics were done on patient sociodemographic variables, hospital characteristics, and hospitalization costs. χ2 test was used to assess for differences between categorical variables and Mood's median test was used to assess for differences between continuous variable medians. RESULTS: A total of 3590 weighted genital GAS encounters were identified. The Western region (50.8%) and Northeast (32.3%) performed the greatest proportion of GAS, compared with the Midwest (9.1%) and the South (8.0%) (P < 0.0001). The most common payment source was private insurance (62.8%), followed by public insurance (27.3%). There were significant differences in the variability of median hospital costs across regions (P < 0.0001). The South and Midwest had the greatest median cost for vaginoplasty ($19,935; interquartile range [IQR], $16,162-$23,561; P = 0.0009), while the West had the greatest median cost for phalloplasty ($26,799; IQR, $19,667-$30,826; P = 0.0152). Across both procedures, the Northeast had the lowest median cost ($11,421; IQR, $9155-$13,165 and $10,055; IQR, $9,013-$10,377, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There is significant regional variability in the number of GAS procedures performed and their associated hospitalization costs. The identified disparities in insurance coverage present an area of possible future improvement to alleviate the financial burden GAS presents to gender-discordant individuals. The variability in cost suggests a need to evaluate variations in care, leading to cost standardization.

Sex differences in initial treatment for genital extramammary Paget disease in the United States: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the standard treatment for genital extramammary Paget disease (gEMPD). OBJECTIVE: To determine if gEMPD treatments and outcomes differ by sex and US region. METHODS: A systematic review was performed of all English-language studies on initial gEMPD treatment in Medline via PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov. At least 2 reviewers performed title and abstract review and data extraction. Surgical categories included total skinning procedures, partial skinning procedures, Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), or unspecified surgery. Chi-squared tests of association were used for comparisons. RESULTS: A total of 60 studies comprising 302 (79.7%) female and 77 (20.3%) male patients met criteria. Women were most often initially recommended partial skinning procedures. In all, 74 (24.5%) women and 0 men underwent a total skinning procedure. Men were more likely to be offered MMS than women (40.3% vs 1.9%, P < .0001), despite men having a significantly greater extent of disease involving the perineum and perianal skin (21.1% vs 1.7%, P < .0001). Treatment recommendations varied by US region. LIMITATIONS: Only 20 states were represented. CONCLUSION: Women are more frequently offered total skinning procedures for gEMPD while men are more frequently offered MMS. MMS offers less recurrence and morbidity than total skinning procedures and should be recommended equally to both female and male patients with gEMPD.

[Genital gender affirming surgery in trans men]. / Chirurgie génitale de masculinisation des hommes trans.

OBJECTIVE: Genital surgery for masculinisation in the context of gender incongruence is characterised by the reconstruction of male genitalia using multiple surgical techniques - free flap phalloplasty, pedicled flap phalloplasty or metaoidioplasty - which this article aims to describe. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A narrative review of the literature on these trans surgeries was carried out. RESULTS: Each technique has specific advantages and disadvantages, and does not produce the same results in terms of surgical risks, size of the reconstructed phallus, sensitivity, sexual function and urinary function. CONCLUSION: This surgical decision must therefore be shared with the person concerned, based on a clear understanding of their expectations and objectives. Long-term follow-up is recommended.

Prospective evaluation of genital hiatus in patients undergoing surgical prolapse repair.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Enlarged genital hiatus (GH) is associated with prolapse recurrence following prolapse repair. Perineorrhaphy is often performed to reduce GH. However, changes in GH between the time of surgery and follow up are poorly understood. Our primary aim was to compare the intra-operative resting GH at the conclusion of surgery with the resting GH 3 months post-operatively in patients who undergo perineorrhaphy. We hypothesized that the intra-operative resting GH would be sustained. METHODS: Patients planning apical prolapse surgery were prospectively enrolled. Perineorrhaphy was performed at the surgeon's discretion. GH was measured pre-operatively in clinic, intra-operatively before and after surgery (resting), and 3 months post-operatively (resting and Valsalva). RESULTS: Twenty-nine perineorrhaphy and 27 no perineorrhaphy patients completed 3-month follow-up. Groups were similar in age (63.9 y, SD 10.4), body mass index (28.3 kg/m2, SD 5.2) and prior prolapse surgery (19.6%). Median (interquartile range) baseline Valsalva GH was larger in the perineorrhaphy group (4.5 (4 - 5.5) vs 3.5 (3 - 4) cm, p < 0.01). Median resting GH at 3 months was 0.5 cm less than end of surgery in the perineorrhaphy group (p < 0.01). The median change in GH between baseline and 3-month follow up was greater with perineorrhaphy (-1.5 vs -0.5 cm, p < 0.01). This difference was not seen in the sacrocolpopexy subgroup (-1.75 vs -1.5, p = 0.14; n = 24). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons can be reassured that the intra-operative change in GH resulting from perineorrhaphy is sustained 3 months after surgery and similar to the more commonly measured preoperative to postoperative change in Valsalva GH.

Systematic Literature Review of Pediatric Male and Female Genital Hair Thread Tourniquet Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe genital hair thread tourniquet syndrome (HTTS) and its treatment by pediatric and adolescent health care providers through a systematic literature review. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature review on pediatric male and female genital HTTS. Studies were included if they involved genital HTTS in males or females 21 years and younger and were published in English. The main outcomes were body parts involved, symptoms, treatment, anesthetic type, providers involved in diagnosis and management, and implications of delayed or missed diagnosis. RESULTS: There were 38 female cases from 33 publications (1973-2020) and 147 male cases from 47 publications (1951-2019). The average age among females and males was 9.1 and 5.1 years, respectively. Among cases involving female patients, 93% of them were premenarchal; patients were circumcised in 90% of reviewed cases of male HTTS. The most commonly involved body parts were clitoris and labia minora in females, and penis and urethra in males. Males most commonly presented with edema and urinary symptoms, whereas females most commonly presented with edema and pain. General anesthesia was used for tourniquet excision in most cases. Male and female genital HTTS were mostly managed by urologists and emergency medicine physicians, respectively. CONCLUSION: This systematic literature review of more than 150 cases of male and female genital HTTS describes evaluation and management of genital HTTS spanning 7 decades. The main treatment of genital HTTS remains prompt diagnosis and removal of the tourniquet, as well as education on prevention strategies. Delayed diagnosis due to lack of recognition of the HTTS can lead to serious sequelae. Development of national guidelines regarding best practices in management of genital HTTS disseminated to all providers taking care of pediatric and adolescent patients will lead to improved patient care.

Caring for Transgender Patients: Complications of Gender-Affirming Genital Surgeries.

Patients who undergo gender-affirming genital surgeries may present to the emergency department for their postsurgical complications. In this paper, we briefly describe the transfeminine and transmasculine genital procedures, review the diagnosis and management of both common and potentially life-threatening complications, and discuss the criteria for hospitalization and time frame for surgical consultation and referral.

Early Genital Surgery in Disorders/Differences of Sex Development: Patients' Perspectives.

Controversy continues over a proposed moratorium on elective genital surgery in childhood for disorders/differences of sex development (DSD). Empirical evidence on patient preference is needed to inform decision-making. We conducted a multicentre survey by cross-sectional questionnaire in 14 specialized clinics in six European countries. The sample comprised 459 individuals (≥ 16 years) with a DSD diagnosis, including individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) (n = 192), XY DSD with prenatal androgen effect (A) (n = 150), and without (nA) (n = 117). Main outcome measures were level of agreement with given statements regarding genital surgery, including clitoris reduction, vaginoplasty, and hypospadias repair. A total of 66% of individuals with CAH and 60% of those with XY DSD-A thought that infancy or childhood were the appropriate age for genital surgery. Females with XY DSD were divided on this issue and tended to prefer vaginoplasty at a later age (XY DSD-A 39%, XY DSD-nA 32%). A total of 47% of males preferred early hypospadias surgery. Only 12% (CAH), 11% (XY DSD-A), and 21% (XY DSD-nA) thought they would have been better off without any surgery in childhood or adolescence. Individuals who had early genital surgery were more likely to approve of it. Outcome data failed to support a general moratorium on early elective genital surgery. Participant perspectives varied considerably by diagnostic category, gender, history of surgery, and contact with support groups. Case-by-case decision-making is better suited to grasping the ethical complexity of the issues at stake.Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00006072.

Self-Induced Trauma to the Genitalia: a Review of the Literature and Management Schemes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Self-induced genital trauma is rare, and prompt and evidence-based early intervention can improve the urinary and sexual function of these complex patients. This review has surveyed current literature and treatment trends to evaluate the clinical approach to managing genital trauma. RECENT FINDINGS: A literature review was performed regarding self-induced genitalia trauma and trauma management between 2000 and 2019 using MEDLINE® database, the Cochrane Library® Central Search, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. In total, 42 articles were considered relevant and included in this review. Self-induced trauma can be appropriately managed with a multidisciplinary approach. Treatment goals are to preserve urinary, sexual, and reproductive function. Specific evaluation includes mechanism of injury, imaging, and determining the extent of injury and surgical repair, if indicated. Due to the rarity of these injuries and their emergent nature, much of the management is based on retrospective data. Further research is needed to improve long-term functional outcomes in trauma patients.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery for Genital Skin Cancer: A Review of Cases and Reconstructive Techniques.

As the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) increases in the United States, one area of particular concern is NMSC arising on the genitalia. In the past, most genital skin tumors have been treated by conventional radical surgical approaches such as penectomy, vulvectomy, or wide local excision. In recent years, tissue sparing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has been established as a safe and effective method of achieving cutaneous genital tumor clearance. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of NMSCs arising on genital skin treated with MMS, and describe some of their indications, results, and associated complications. A summary of case reports, case series, and retrospective reviews is made available to guide decision making and surgical planning for tumors of this nature. Pertinent anatomy, site-specific surgical techniques, and reconstruction options of genital skin will be discussed. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(3):311-319. doi:10.36849/JDD.5656.

Masculinizing Genital Surgery: An Imaging Primer for the Radiologist.

OBJECTIVE. Masculinizing genital surgeries for transgender individuals are currently performed at only a select few centers; however, radiologists in any geographic region may be confronted with imaging studies of transgender patients. The imaging findings of internal and external genital anatomy of a transgender patient may differ substantially from the imaging findings of a cisgender patient. This article provides the surgical and anatomic basis to allow appropriate interpretation of preoperative and postoperative imaging findings. We also expand on the most common complications and associated imaging findings. CONCLUSION. As these procedures become more commonplace, radiologists will have a growing role in the care of transgender patients and will be faced with new anatomic variants and differential diagnoses. Familiarity with these anatomic variations and postoperative complications is crucial for the radiologist to provide an accurate and useful report.

Risk factors for recurrent ectopic pregnancy following single-dose methotrexate treatment.

Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the predisposing factors for recurrence of an ectopic pregnancy (EP) following single-dose methotrexate (MTX) treatment for a primary EP. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study performed in a tertiary care medical centre including all patients diagnosed with primary EP and treated with a single-dose regimen of intramuscular MTX. EPs with future recurrence were compared with first time only EPs, to identify risk factors for recurrent EP. Forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression analyses were subsequently carried out. Results: The study included 272 women. Of those, 22 (8.1%) had a recurrent EP. Women in the recurrent EP group had a higher rate of abortions (45.5% vs 32.7%; p = 0.02), previous pelvic surgery (45.5% vs 6.5%; p < 0.001) and both pelvic and uterine surgery (4.5% vs 1.6%; p < 0.001). Conception by assisted reproductive technology (ART) was more common among the non-recurrent EP group (23.0% vs 4.5%; p = 0.04). Success of single-dose MTX treatment was lower in the recurrent EP group compared with the non-recurrent EP group (36.4% vs 65.7%; p = 0.006). A history of pelvic surgery was independently associated with recurrent EP (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 17.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9, 63.2; p = 0.001). Treatment success of single-dose MTX was independently protective for recurrent EP (adjusted OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.08, 0.76; p = 0.02). Conclusions: Among women with an EP, attention should be paid to those with previous pelvic surgery. Efforts should be made to achieve medical treatment success to prevent recurrent EP.