Augmentation mammaplasty in male-to-female trans-sexuals: facts and figures from Amsterdam.

In male-to-female trans-sexuals in whom the hormonal treatment has not resulted in sufficient growth of the breasts, augmentation mammaplasty may be considered. Mammaplasty is performed in two-thirds of our patients who have had vaginoplasties. We present our experience of 201 patients operated on at the Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam up to 1997. The patients' mean age was 34 years (range 17-76) and the mean follow-up was four years (range 2 weeks to 16 years). In keeping with our protocol, most patients had had oestrogen therapy and a successful real-life experience for a minimum of 1.5 years. The mean size of implants has nearly doubled over the years. Male-to-female trans-sexuals often request large breasts and repeated augmentation mammaplasties were required, mainly in cases where the result of initial augmentation was not outspoken.

The devastating outcome of massive subcutaneous injection of highly viscous fluids in male-to-female transsexuals.

Illicit subcutaneous injections of massive quantities of highly viscous fluids are still performed, often by unqualified persons. Fifteen male-to-female transsexuals consulted the authors regarding their devastating long-term outcomes after the injection of up to 8 liters of alleged silicone or mineral oil to feminize their bodies. After a latency period of up to 17 years, these injections led to complications ranging from scarring and deformity to infections. These patients were treated conservatively for inflammation and infection or surgically by resection of the oil-infested areas. In view of the potential dangers, feminization by the injection of high-viscosity fluids should be soundly condemned.

Secondary corrections of the vulva in male-to-female transsexuals.

From December of 1980 to May of 1998, 390 male-to-female transsexuals underwent vaginoplasty by inversion of the penile skin and a triangular perineoscrotal flap. Although minor modifications were made throughout the years, the basic surgical technique remained the same over this 17.5-year period. In 86 of the 390 patients (22 percent), secondary corrections of the vulva were deemed necessary. A total of 130 corrections were performed in these 86 patients. In the same 17.5-year period, the authors performed 26 secondary corrective procedures in 19 patients in whom the initial vaginoplasty had been done elsewhere. Bilateral Z-plasties were performed 69 times to center the labia in instances when the ventral part of the labia majora remained too far apart. This is not advisable, primarily because it will reduce the vascular supply of the penile skin flap. Introital widening by five-flap advancement was performed in 40 cases in which a dorsal skin fold obstructed the introitis. The use of the triangular perineoscrotal flap favors the vaginal and introital width, but its base should be close to the anal ring to prevent such a skin fold. Secondary construction of the labia minora was performed 27 times, and a skin reduction of the labia majora was performed 20 times. So far, the authors have been unable to develop a satisfactory method for primary construction of the labia minora. Because the appearance of the vulva may charge gradually during the first postoperative year, secondary vulvar corrections should not be performed in that period.

Long-term outcome of augmentation mammaplasty in male-to-female transsexuals: a questionnaire survey of 107 patients.

A retrospective survey of long-term postoperative male-to-female transsexual patients has been performed to evaluate how well augmentation mammaplasty addresses their needs. One hundred and seven (65%) out of 164 anonymous questionnaires sent to the patients were evaluated. Average clinical follow-up of these patients was 4.8 years, whereas the average time lapse between mammaplasty and filling out of the questionnaire was 5.5 years (range, 16 months-17 years). The age of the subjects at the time of this survey ranged from 22 to 76 years (average, 41 years). Seventeen of the 107 patients had undergone further augmentation mammaplasty, on average 57 months after the initial mammaplasty. The average size of implanted prostheses was 258 ml (range, 130- 450 ml). Eighty patients (75%) indicated satisfaction with the final outcome of the mammaplasty. The median postoperative cup size in this group was B (range of postoperative bra size, 30B-40D). The remaining 27 patients (25%) were unhappy with the results of mammaplasty. The median postoperative cup size in the 18 patients who still felt their breasts to be too small was also B (range of bra size, 30B-48E). The average size of current prostheses in these 18 patients was 261 ml. For a male-to-female transsexual patient to appreciate the outcome of augmentation mammaplasty, the surgeon should tolerate and address this patient's urge for a distinctly feminine breast configuration.

Short-term and long-term histologic effects of castration and estrogen treatment on breast tissue of 14 male-to-female transsexuals in comparison with two chemically castrated men.

The histologic changes induced in the mammary gland of male-to-female transsexuals have not yet been reported in the literature. We studied the histologic changes induced by chemical and surgical castration and estrogen therapy in the breasts of 14 such patients, with particular reference to acinar and lobular formation. To objectify the influence of cross-sex treatment, the histologic findings were compared with those in two men treated hormonally for prostate cancer. The slight increase in the plasma estrogen-to-androgen ratio seen in idiopathic gynecomastia usually does not induce acinar and lobular formation in the male breast. In men treated with nonprogestative antiandrogens for prostate cancer, only moderate acinar and lobular formation occurs. Only in male-to-female transsexuals in whom progestative chemical castration is combined with feminizing estrogen therapy will full acinar and lobular formation occur with hormonally stimulated nuclei and pseudolactational changes. Hence, combined progestative antiandrogens and estrogens are necessary for genetically male breast tissue to mimic the natural histology of the female breast. Orchidectomy does not contribute to this. Apocrine metaplasia may occur in breasts of male-to-female transsexuals, but so far, only four cases of breast cancer in male-to-female transsexuals have been documented.

Exceptional presenting conditions and outcome of augmentation mammaplasty in male-to-female transsexuals.

Driven by a persistent and unchangeable need to undo the discrepancy between reality of the body and gender of the mind, most male-to-female transsexuals seek physical feminization through hormonal and surgical treatment. The authors report some rare presenting conditions and exceptional results of augmentation mammaplasty in 11 male-to-female transsexuals treated between January 1979 and January 1998, as well as describe how to treat these conditions. In patients in whom gynecomastia was treated previously, the remaining subcutaneous fatty tissue may be insufficient to cover the implants safely, and subpectoral implantation should be considered. Augmentation after unilateral correction of gynecomastia requires different sizes of implants. Although exceptional in male-to-female transsexuals, mastopexy is the treatment of choice to correct any mammary ptosis, but the patient may request augmentation mammaplasty to fill out the breasts. Previous stacking mammaplasty may have been performed subglandularly, subpectorally, or both. Stacking may not have been noticed prior to corrective surgery. Extrusion of the implant may be associated with avascular necrosis or infection, but also with the use of high concentrations of steroid placed within the lumen of fluid-filled implants. The correction involves removal of the implant, with skin graft or flap reconstruction of the affected area. Replacement of the implant may have to be delayed. Symmastia results from overzealous medial dissection coupled with overaugmentation. Combined restoration of the presternal subcutaneous integrity, and medial closure of the pocket by subcutaneous approach only, leads to satisfactory reconstruction of the presternal median cleavage. Galactorrhea may be the result of hyperprolactemia but is more often caused by stimulation of the intercostal nerve by the implants.

Augmentation mammaplasty in male-to-female transsexuals.

Hormonal therapy and gender-confirming surgery are the treatments of choice in appropriately selected male-to-female transsexuals. Penectomy and vaginoplasty are the paramount surgical requests of the male transsexual, but breast enlargement greatly increases subjective feelings of femininity. There are only limited reports on augmentation mammaplasty in male transsexuals, and hardly any attention has been paid to the differences between the female mammary anatomy and its male counterpart. The basic anatomic and surgical considerations of augmentation mammaplasty for 201 male-to-female transsexuals who were operated on from 1979 to 1997 are reviewed and discussed. They include the differences between male and female anatomy and how to feminize the male chest, the results of hormonal therapy and the proper timing of surgery, the choice of implant size and surgical approach, the results that may be expected after surgery, and the implications of all mentioned on the long-term outcome and follow-up after augmentation mammaplasty. Because the referring doctor may not check on the breasts or may not be trained to examine augmented breasts for pathologic conditions, the mammaplastic surgeon has an obligation to ensure the proper follow-up of these patients.