Virtual Modeling in Gender-Affirming Facial Masculinization Surgery

Abstract

The increase in access to facial gender-affirming surgery has resulted in an increase in facial feminization procedures for transfeminine and gender nonbinary populations. However, refined execution of facial masculinization is challenged by the lack of defined measurements for facial augmentation, the lack of long-term predictability in autologous bone grafting in augmentation procedures, and the lack of precision in traditional facial augmentation procedures with generic alloplastic implants. The authors describe an innovation in facial masculinization surgery using modern reconstructive craniofacial surgical techniques with preoperative virtual modeling and the fabrication of 3-dimensionally printed, patient-specific custom implants.