A recent study revealed that facial feminization surgery (FFS) can be safely performed as an outpatient procedure, offering significant benefits without increasing adverse outcomes. This first-of-its-kind research compared complications, emergency department (ED) or urgent care (UC) visits, and readmissions between patients who had FFS as same-day surgery versus those admitted post-operatively. Overall, the study concluded that ambulatory FFS is a safe and efficient practice, encouraging high-volume gender health centers to consider same-day surgeries to enhance scheduling flexibility, access to care, and reduce healthcare costs.
The lead author of the study was Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) student Nghiem Nguyen, and the lead researcher was KPSOM faculty member James C. Lee, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Clinical Science. In addition to Nguyen and Lee, Michael W. Chu, MD, Member of the Faculty of Clinical Science, Holly Kim, MD, Member of the Faculty of Clinical Science, Stacey H. Francis, MD, Assistant Professor of Clinical Science, and KPSOM graduate Leandra Doan, MD, coauthored the article, “Ambulatory facial feminization surgery: a comparative analysis of outcomes and complications,” published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery.
