Metaidioplasty is one of two gender reassignment surgeries along with phalloplasty. Find out how this intervention takes place and what are its consequences.
“A metaidooplasty is a surgical procedure that has the function of to lengthen the clitoris or the dicklitthe name given by transgender men to their hormone-enlarged clitoris” informs Dr Nicolas Morel-Journel, urology surgeon at the Lyon Sud Hospital, specializing in sex reassignment surgery. This surgery consists of to lengthen the dicklit as much as possible in order to create a penis and to reconstruct a urinary canal by lengthening and displacing the urethra. “It is possible to create a scrotum by using the labia majora and filling them with fat or putting silicone prostheses on them.“says the surgeon. The vagina can be removed and sutured during the intervention at the request of the operated person.
The only indication for metaidooplasty is a gender affirmation surgery for trans men. The other gender-affirming surgery for trans men is phalloplasty, which involves creating a penis.
This surgery is done under general anesthesia and lasts 4 to 5 hours. it is followed by a 2 to 3 day hospitalization. “Drains are left in place for 15 days and then removed. If all goes well, healing is achieved in 15 days to a month“explains Dr. Nicolas Morel-Journel.
If a vaginectomy is performed during a metaidooplasty, there are risk of bleeding or injury neighborhood bodies. The main complications are related urethroplasty (reconstruction of the urinary canal). “It can be skin necrosis, fistulas, stenosis (stricture of the urethra)” describes Dr. Nicolas Morel-Journel.
Of the specialized urological surgeons or plastic surgeons in sex reassignment surgery perform this procedure. “In France, we are today 5 or 6 to practice this intervention which is not very difficult but which includes many small steps” teaches us Dr Nicolas Morel-Journel who indicates that in France 20 to 30 metaidooplasties are performed each year. Some people have surgery in Belgium, Serbia, England.
Metaidooplasty is 100% covered by Social Security
“On a practical level, metaidoplasty allows you to urinate standing up in 60% of cases. On a symbolic level, it removes the elements of femininity” indicates Dr. More-Journel. In addition, this intervention has a third advantage for the operated people: the sensitivity of the genitals is preserved, unlike what happens with a phalloplasty where sensitivity is often diminished. The penis thus created is erogenous and sexual pleasure is possible. On the other hand, this technique rarely allows penetration during intercourse.
“All major gender-affirming surgeries are 100% covered by Social Security“Informs Dr Nicolas Morel-Journel.
Thanks to Dr Nicolas Morel-Journel, urology surgeon at the Lyon Sud Hospital, specializing in sex reassignment surgery.