Medical Terminology for Male-to-Female Gender Surgery
The preferred medical terminology is "gender-affirming surgery" or "gender affirmation surgery," specifically referring to procedures such as vaginoplasty (creation of female genitalia with a vaginal canal) or vulvoplasty (creation of female genitalia without a vaginal canal) for transfeminine individuals. 1, 2
Current Terminology Standards
The term "gender reassignment" is outdated and should be avoided in contemporary medical practice. 1 The 2024 Anaesthesia guidelines explicitly state that the preference is for the term "gender affirmation" as opposed to "gender reassignment" when describing this process. 1
Specific Surgical Procedures
For individuals assigned male at birth transitioning to female (transfeminine patients or transgender women), the specific surgical options include:
Vaginoplasty: The most commonly performed genital surgery for gender affirmation, involving creation of female genitalia with a functional vaginal canal. 3, 2 This is the predominant procedure and aims at providing attractive aesthetics and fully functional genitals. 4
Vulvoplasty: Creation of female external genitalia with a short or absent vaginal canal. 2
Penile inversion vaginoplasty: The most common technical approach used today, considered the method of choice for most gender surgeons. 3, 5
Appropriate Patient Terminology
When referring to patients, use the following terminology:
Transgender woman or trans woman: A woman who was assigned male at birth and identifies and lives as a woman. 1
Transfeminine: Identifies with the female side of the gender spectrum but was assigned male at birth. 1
The outdated term "male-to-female transsexual" should be avoided in favor of the above terminology. 1
Clinical Documentation Considerations
Using correct terminology is a powerful tool for healthcare professionals to demonstrate inclusivity and provide better healthcare to transgender and gender-diverse people. 1 Proper pronoun use (she/her for trans women) is a simple and effective way to be more inclusive and normalize gender expression. 1