Hope Xu
Student, Icahn School of Medicine, at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
Title: Complications Profile of Primary Breast Augmentation in Transgender Patients
Biography
Biography: Hope Xu
Abstract
Background & Purpose: Primary breast augmentation is an extremely common procedure, with reported complications rates between 1.4% and 14.5% in cisgender patients1,2. Unfortunately, such data for transgender patients is limited3-6. This study seeks to address this paucity of data by examining the complication profile of primary breast augmentation in male-to-female transgender patients.
Methodology: A retrospective chart review was performed of all male-to-female transgender patients who underwent breast augmentation at a single institution from 2017-2019. Preoperative clinical parameters and postoperative surgical outcomes were compared.
Results: A total of 96 patients were identified. Mean age was 37.9 years (range, 21 to 60 years). Primary augmentation was performed in 81% of patients, and 19% presented for secondary/revision augmentation. Ninety-two patients returned for follow-up, with a mean follow-up time of 5.5 months (range: 4 days to 27.4 months). The overall complication rate was 20.5% in primary augmentation patients and 44.4% in secondary augmentation. Of the 24 patients who developed complications, 19 required revision. Complications included 17 cases of capsular contracture, 4 wound dehiscence, 2 seromas, 2 synmastias, 2 implant migrations, 1 hematoma, 1 SSI, 1 implant infection, and 1 implant extrusion. Baker grade III/IV capsular contracture was noted in 7.7% of primary augmentation patients and 33% of secondary augmentation patients.
Conclusion & Significance: In this first study of its kind, complication rates after primary breast augmentation in transgender patients may occur at a higher frequency than those seen in cisgender patients. This study is the first to examine in-depth the complication profile of primary breast augmentation in male-to-female transgender patients. As gender affirming surgery increases in frequency, an understanding of the complication profile is crucial for optimal management of this unique patient populations.