Metoidioplasty

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Metoidioplasty
Specialty	Plastic surgery, Urology

Metoidioplasty is a type of gender-affirming surgery performed on transgender men and some non-binary individuals. The procedure involves the creation of a neophallus using the patient's existing clitoral tissue, which has typically been enlarged through the use of testosterone therapy.

Procedure

The metoidioplasty procedure typically involves several steps:

• Release of the clitoral ligament to allow the clitoris to extend further from the body.
• Removal of surrounding tissues to enhance the appearance and function of the neophallus.
• Urethral lengthening, which may involve the use of vaginal tissue or buccal mucosa to create a functional urethra that allows for standing urination.
• Scrotoplasty, which involves the creation of a scrotum using tissue from the labia majora and the insertion of testicular implants.

Types

There are different variations of metoidioplasty, including:

• Simple metoidioplasty: Focuses on the release of the clitoral ligament without urethral lengthening.
• Full metoidioplasty: Includes urethral lengthening and scrotoplasty.

Recovery

Recovery from metoidioplasty can vary depending on the extent of the surgery. Patients may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the initial weeks following the procedure. Full recovery can take several months, during which time patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities and follow their surgeon's post-operative care instructions.

Complications

As with any surgical procedure, metoidioplasty carries potential risks and complications, including:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Urethral fistula
• Urethral stricture
• Dissatisfaction with aesthetic or functional outcomes

Alternatives

Alternatives to metoidioplasty include phalloplasty, another type of gender-affirming surgery that involves the construction of a neophallus using tissue from other parts of the body, such as the forearm or thigh.

See also

• Gender dysphoria
• Hormone replacement therapy (female-to-male)
• Sex reassignment surgery (female-to-male)
• Transgender health care