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Overview of gender-affirming surgery

  • Mini symposium: Imaging of intersex and gender diverse youth
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Abstract

This publication will discuss the diversity of procedures that are common to those with intersex traits,/differences of sex development (I/DSD), and transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients. It will address how these procedures are performed, and common after care and long-term considerations which are relevant to the pediatric radiologist. Some surgeries offered to these patient populations have shared surgical approaches and radiographic considerations. With the growth of TGD procedures as a field, more pediatric subspecialties are performing these procedures, and the approaches are informing the surgical care of the growing number of I/DSD individuals who are seeking surgery in adolescence and young adulthood. Surgeries discussed will include procedures to masculinize or feminize breast/chest tissue, facial bony contours, as well as internal and external genital structures. Patients are diverse and this includes their embodiment goals. As such, not all TGD and I/DSD patients will desire to undergo these procedures. It is important for radiologists to have a foundational understanding of this heterogenous set of procedures so they can provide optimal care for these patient populations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital Gynecology, 333 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Frances W. Grimstad

  2. Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Jessica Lee

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  1. Frances W. Grimstad
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Contributions

Frances Grimstad: Conceptualization, Writing- Original draft preparation. Jessica Lee: Conceptualization, Writing- Reviewing and Editing. All authors reviewed and approved final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Frances W. Grimstad.

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Grimstad, F.W., Lee, J. Overview of gender-affirming surgery. Pediatr Radiol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-024-05874-z

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