Abstract

Objective: To evaluate anthropometric, clinical, and patient-reported outcomes following masculinizing chest surgery in transgender men using Vietnamese male chest anthropometric reference standards.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 32 transgender men undergoing masculinizing chest surgery between 2022 and 2025. Preoperative and postoperative chest anthropometric measurements were compared with Vietnamese male reference values. Surgical outcomes, complications, sensory recovery, scar quality, and patient satisfaction were assessed.

Results: Surgical technique selection was significantly associated with preoperative chest classification (p < 0.001). Resected glandular tissue volume differed significantly among techniques (p < 0.001). Significant postoperative improvements were observed in chest circumference, nipple position, nipple-to-inframammary fold distance, areolar diameter, and anthropometric ratios (all p < 0.05). Postoperative thoracic width, areolar diameter, and NH/TL ratio were comparable to male reference values. Overall complication rate was 28.1%, with nipple–areola ischemia and seroma being the most common complications. Most patients demonstrated partial sensory recovery at >3 months postoperatively. Satisfaction was high for chest contour (92.2%), nipple–areola position (96.9–100%), scar appearance (90.6%), and overall surgical outcome (87.5%). Acceptable or aesthetically favorable scars were observed in 87.5% of breasts.

Conclusion: Masculinizing chest surgery achieved favorable anthropometric, clinical, and aesthetic outcomes with acceptable complication rates. Vietnamese male anthropometric reference standards provided a useful framework for objective postoperative evaluation.