Purpose

We aim to describe the relationship between sexual orientation identity and medical morbidities in a large sample of male-to-female (MTF) transgender patients.

Methods

We reviewed medical records of patients presenting for MTF sex reassignment surgery (SRS) by a single, high-volume surgeon from 2011 to 2015. Sexual attraction to men (heterosexual), women (lesbian), or both (bisexual) was asked of each patient. We examined 16 medical morbidities for this analysis.

Results

During the study period, 330 MTF transgender patients presented for SRS. The average age at the time of surgery was 38.9 (range 18-76). One hundred and one patients (32%) reported being heterosexual, 110 patients (34%) reported being lesbian, and 108 patients (34%) reported being bisexual. Lesbian patients presented for SRS at older ages (mean = 43 years old) compared with heterosexual patients (mean = 36 years old) and bisexual patients (mean = 37), P < 0.01. No differences were found in the majority of coexisting medical morbidities by sexual orientation identity. Lesbian patients had greater odds of having a history of depression, age-adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-4.40, compared with heterosexual patients. Lesbian patients had higher odds of being married or partnered, aOR = 2.31, 95% CI (1.27-4.19), compared with heterosexual patients. Heterosexual patients had higher odds of having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), aOR = 9.07, 95% CI (1.08-76.5) compared with lesbian patients.

Conclusions

Sexual orientation identity in MTF transgender patients is variable. The majority of medical morbidities are not associated with sexual orientation identity. Although HIV and depression are common morbidities among MTF patients seeking SRS, the prevalence of these morbidities differs by sexual orientation identity, but these findings need replication. Counseling and future research initiatives in transgender care should incorporate sexual orientation identity and associated risk behavior.

Purpose

Studies of surgical complications of penile inversion vaginoplasty are limited due to small sample sizes. We describe postoperative complications after penile inversion vaginoplasty and evaluated age, body mass index and years on hormone replacement therapy as risk factors for complications.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of male-to-female patients who presented for primary penile inversion vaginoplasty to a high volume surgeon (MLB) from 2011 to 2015. Complications included granulation tissue, vaginal pain, wound separation, labial asymmetry, vaginal stenosis, fistula formation, urinary symptoms including spraying stream or dribbling, infection, vaginal fissure or vaginal bleeding. We classified complications by Clavien-Dindo grade. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the independent effects of age, body mass index and hormone replacement therapy on postoperative surgical complications.

Results

A total of 330 patients presented for primary penile inversion vaginoplasty. Median age at surgery was 35 years (range 18 to 76). Median followup in all patients was 3 months (range 3 to 73). Of the patients 95 (28.7%) presented with a postoperative complication. Median time to a complication was 4.4 months (IQR 1-11.5). Rectoneovaginal fistulas developed in 3 patients (0.9%). A total of 30 patients (9.0%) required a second operation. There were no complications greater than Clavien-Dindo grade IIIB. Age, body mass index and hormone replacement therapy were not associated with complications.

Conclusions

Penile inversion vaginoplasty is a relatively safe procedure. Most complications due to this surgery develop within the first 4 months postoperatively. Age, body mass index and hormone replacement therapy are not associated with complications and, thus, they should not dictate the timing of surgery.