Daniel Knott, MD, Director of Facial Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic in Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS), and Rahul Seth, MD Associate Director in the Facial Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, OHNS recently published an article in ENT Today entitled “Transgender Care Otolaryngologists Can Help Fill An Unmet Need For This Patient Population.” The article focuses on the changes to Department of Health and Human Services regulations which restrict essential care for transgender individuals, understanding gender identity disorders, and ways in which otolaryngologists are uniquely able to provide healthcare services to transgender patients.
Otolaryngologists can use their surgical skills to help provide services to transgender patients to allow their outward appearance more closely match the patient’s internal gender identity. These services include voice therapy, chondrolaryngoplasty, facial implants, mandible shaving, rhinoplasty, and frontal sinus manipulations. UC San Francisco (UCSF) has been at the forefront of providing access to care for transgender patients through OHNS’s Voice and Swallowing Center, along with OHNS Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery. UCSF also provides multidisciplinary care through the departments of Dermatology, Endocrinology, Gynecology and Psychiatry.
In discussing the article, Dr. Knott stated, “I am happy and proud of our department and academy for providing us with this opportunity to potentially help shape public opinion in support of this chronically marginalized and misunderstood population. The timing in this moment of social justice is particularly important.”
As the field of gender-affirming surgical care of transgender individuals continues to grow, there is still controversy regrading insurance coverage, government policy and support, and social acceptance. However, it is Dr. Knott and Seth’s belief that the transgender population will continue to gain acceptance and understanding, and hopefully, be protected.
