Outcomes in Facial Feminization Surgery: A Systematic Review

Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2024 Mar-Apr;26(2):236-244. doi: 10.1089/fpsam.2021.0293. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Abstract

Objective: Review literature on facial feminization surgery (FFS) for the transgender population and identify whether heterogeneity in reported outcomes and outcome measures exists across studies, as measured by a lack of consensus, and number of outcomes and outcome measures used. Evidence Review: A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE (database inception to January 20, 2021) was performed to retrieve FFS studies. Primary outcomes included number of reported outcomes and outcome measures; secondary outcomes included clinimetric properties of outcome measures and study characteristics. Findings: In total, 15 articles were included. Sixty-nine outcomes and 12 outcome measures were identified. Of those outcome measures, zero were found to be valid, reliable, and responsive in patients who had undergone FFS. A variety of FFS interventions were studied, with the three most common interventions being: rhinoplasty (n = 7, 46.7%), mandibuloplasty (n = 7, 46.7%), and chondrolaryngoplasty (n = 6, 40%). Conclusion and Relevance: Heterogeneity was evident in reported outcomes and outcome measures in FFS literature and there is currently no outcome measure commonly used for this patient population.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Face* / surgery
  • Female
  • Feminization* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Transgender Persons*