The perioperative management of transgender patients: a knowledge gap we can no longer ignore

Abstract

Recent years have seen an increase in the number of people openly identifying as transgender in the UK, with current estimates ranging between 200 000 and 600 000 individuals. There has also been an increase in the number of patients undergoing both medical and surgical gender-affirming treatment. There are several important, specific considerations that perioperative clinicians must be aware of when caring for transgender patients, including changes to the airway, potential respiratory and cardiovascular complications, and the management of hormone therapy. Alongside this, important general considerations include the correct use of patient pronouns and ensuring patients are admitted to correctly gendered wards. Despite the need for these considerations, the perioperative management of transgender patients is not covered in the Royal College of Anaesthetists' curriculum; to date, no national guidelines exist on the subject. This article discusses some of the key, specific perioperative considerations relevant to transgender patients, and highlights the need for national guidelines and improved education on the subject.