Evaluating Access and Outcomes in Gender-affirming Breast Augmentation: A Comparative Study of a County Hospital and an Academic Center

Abstract

Background: Research on the diverse patient population undergoing gender-affirming breast augmentation remains scarce. We compared patients undergoing this procedure at San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG), a county hospital, and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), an academic medical center. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent primary gender-affirming breast augmentation at ZSFG (August 2019 to June 2023) and UCSF (March 2015 to June 2023). Differences in sociodemographic characteristics, surgical access, and outcomes between sites were assessed. Results: Of 195 patients, 122 patients had surgery at UCSF and 73 patients at ZSFG. ZSFG patients were more likely to be unstably housed (P < 0.001), Spanish-speaking (P = 0.001), and to have obesity (P = 0.011) and HIV (P = 0.004). Patients at ZSFG took hormones for longer before surgical consultation (P < 0.001) but had shorter referral-to-surgery intervals (P = 0.024). Patients at ZSFG more frequently underwent a subglandular approach (P = 0.003) with longer operative times (P < 0.001). Major surgical complications were uncommon (2.1%) with no differences between sites. Aesthetically, implant malposition/rotation occurred more often in patients at UCSF (P = 0.031), but revision rates were similar at both sites. Patients at UCSF had longer follow-up periods (P = 0.008). Conclusions: County hospital patients seeking gender-affirming breast augmentation have distinct sociodemographic profiles and more comorbidities than academic medical center patients. County patients might experience greater barriers that delay surgical eligibility, such as stable housing. Nevertheless, this procedure can be safely and effectively performed in both patient populations.