Ag. Becking et al., FACIAL CORRECTIONS IN MALE TO FEMALE TRANSSEXUALS - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT ON 16 PATIENTS, Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery, 54(4), 1996, pp. 413-418
Purpose: The need for facial corrective surgery to facilitate passing
as a member of the other sex occurs in a relatively low percentage of
male-to-female transsexuals. The aim of this study was to explore crit
eria and techniques for facial corrections in male-to-female transsexu
als because little is known on objective measures for meaningfull faci
al alterations in the female direction. Patients and Methods: In the p
eriod 1992 to 1994, 16 male-to-female transsexual patients were eligib
le for bony facial corrections. Several techniques were used to femini
ze the masculine appearance: mandibular angle reduction, genioplasty,
bimaxillary osteotomy, and zygoma onlay and zygoma sandwich osteotomie
s.Results: Subjectively good results were obtained. Improvement in qua
lity of life was not objectively assessed. Conclusions: Facial correct
ive surgery seems to be promising in selected cases of male-to-female
transsexualism. Further research is recommended on quantification of t
he differences in male and female faces for optimal indications and de
sign of this type of surgery. The psychosocial aspects of the facial s
urgery and long-term stability of the surgical result also need to be
further investigated.