Subcutaneous Mastectomy Improves Satisfaction with the Body and Psychosocial Function in Trans Men; Findings of a Cross-Sectional Study Using the BODY-Q Chest Module

Background: The effectiveness of gender confirming surgery is best evaluated on the basis of patient-reported outcomes such as appearance satisfaction and health-related quality of life. This is the first explorative study using the BODY-Q chest module, administered in trans men before and after mastectomy. Methods: Between October 2016 and May 2017, trans men were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study. Data collection included standardized anamnesis and examination, screening questions on depression/anxiety, and seven BODY-Q scales, including new scales measuring satisfaction of the chest and nipples. Mean scores for pre- and post-operative participants were compared, and explorative regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with BODY-Q scores. Results: In total, 101 persons participated (89%; 50 pre-operative, 51 post-operative). Post-operative participants reported significantly higher (better) scores on the chest (M=67), nipple (M=58), body (M=58; t-tests, all p<.001 and psychological t-test p=".05)" scales compared with pre-operative patients. post-operative chest nipple mean scores did not differ significantly from a gynecomastia comparison whilst were less favorable on the psychosocial domains. pre-operatively associated objective breast size. lower planned revision surgery depressive symptoms as indicated by screening question. conclusions: present findings indicate that satisfaction differences in trans men undergoing mastectomy can be detected using body-q module. future prospective studies are needed to measure clinical change how this relates changes other aspects of health-related quality life. is an open-access article distributed under terms creative commons attribution-non commercial-no derivatives license where it permissible download share work provided properly cited. cannot changed any way or used commercially without permission journal. financial disclosure: anne klassen co-developer may receive revenues. remaining authors have no disclosures. acknowledgements: would like thank study participants developers well m marlon buncamper for their assistance data collection floyd timmermans editing final manuscript. corresponding author: tim c. van de grift vu university medical center p.o. box mb amsterdam netherlands society plastic surgeons>