Review literature on facial feminization surgery (FFS) for the transgender population and identify whether heterogeneity in reported outcomes and outcome measures exists across studies, as measured by a lack of consensus, and number of outcomes and outcome measures used.
Evidence Review:
A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE (database inception to January 20, 2021) was performed to retrieve FFS studies. Primary outcomes included number of reported outcomes and outcome measures; secondary outcomes included clinimetric properties of outcome measures and study characteristics.
Findings:
In total, 15 articles were included. Sixty-nine outcomes and 12 outcome measures were identified. Of those outcome measures, zero were found to be valid, reliable, and responsive in patients who had undergone FFS. A variety of FFS interventions were studied, with the three most common interventions being: rhinoplasty (n = 7, 46.7%), mandibuloplasty (n = 7, 46.7%), and chondrolaryngoplasty (n = 6, 40%).
Conclusion and Relevance:
Heterogeneity was evident in reported outcomes and outcome measures in FFS literature and there is currently no outcome measure commonly used for this patient population.
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