The Role of the Orthognathic Surgeon in Facial Feminization Surgery
December 2016
TLDR Orthognathic surgeons play a key role in modifying masculine facial features to be more feminine, often improving transgender women's quality of life.
The document from December 16, 2016, outlines the role of orthognathic surgeons in Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS), a set of procedures designed to alter masculine facial features to appear more feminine, often for transgender women. It details specific procedures such as forehead reduction, orbital rim contouring, cheek implants, rhinoplasty, mandibular angle shave and taper, and genioplasty, highlighting the aesthetic differences between male and female faces and the surgical techniques used to address these. The document also discusses potential complications like nerve damage, frontal sinus infection, and dural exposure. It emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach and notes the lack of large studies on FFS's clinical effectiveness, but mentions high patient satisfaction and the association of FFS with improved mental health-related quality of life for transgender women. One cited study (reference 17) specifically indicates that individuals who underwent FFS or gender reassignment surgery experienced an improved quality of life.
