The role of the surgical robot in gender-affirming surgery: a scoping review

Background: Gender-affirming surgery is a growing field to address gender dysphoria, which is an increasingly recognized condition. The surgical robot is an excellent tool for performing some gender-affirming procedures and has been utilized extensively in both feminizing and masculinizing surgery....

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Main Authors: Karen M. Doersch, Lily Kong, Christodoulos Kaoutzanis, Ty Higuchi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-05-01
Series:Therapeutic Advances in Urology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/17562872251336639
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author Karen M. Doersch
Lily Kong
Christodoulos Kaoutzanis
Ty Higuchi
author_facet Karen M. Doersch
Lily Kong
Christodoulos Kaoutzanis
Ty Higuchi
author_sort Karen M. Doersch
collection DOAJ
description Background: Gender-affirming surgery is a growing field to address gender dysphoria, which is an increasingly recognized condition. The surgical robot is an excellent tool for performing some gender-affirming procedures and has been utilized extensively in both feminizing and masculinizing surgery. Objectives: To provide an overview for the use of the surgical robot in gender-affirming surgeries. Design: This is a scoping review. Methods: A literature search was conducted by the authors via PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: The ability of the robot to operate within the pelvis makes it an excellent platform for performing colpectomy with colpocleisis, hysterectomy, and vaginoplasty. A variety of grafts and flaps are amenable to robotic employment in the setting of gender-affirming surgeries. Finally, many revisions can be performed via the robotic approach, regardless of the approach of a patient’s primary surgery. Conclusion: The surgical robot is a useful tool for performing gender-affirming surgeries, including primary surgeries and revisions. Future research will continue to define roles for the robot in the setting of gender-affirming surgery, improve outcomes, and develop novel techniques.
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spelling doaj-art-ff25eb23565e4ecd9e3e207e121c4f3c2025-08-20T03:10:03ZengSAGE PublishingTherapeutic Advances in Urology1756-28802025-05-011710.1177/17562872251336639The role of the surgical robot in gender-affirming surgery: a scoping reviewKaren M. DoerschLily KongChristodoulos KaoutzanisTy HiguchiBackground: Gender-affirming surgery is a growing field to address gender dysphoria, which is an increasingly recognized condition. The surgical robot is an excellent tool for performing some gender-affirming procedures and has been utilized extensively in both feminizing and masculinizing surgery. Objectives: To provide an overview for the use of the surgical robot in gender-affirming surgeries. Design: This is a scoping review. Methods: A literature search was conducted by the authors via PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: The ability of the robot to operate within the pelvis makes it an excellent platform for performing colpectomy with colpocleisis, hysterectomy, and vaginoplasty. A variety of grafts and flaps are amenable to robotic employment in the setting of gender-affirming surgeries. Finally, many revisions can be performed via the robotic approach, regardless of the approach of a patient’s primary surgery. Conclusion: The surgical robot is a useful tool for performing gender-affirming surgeries, including primary surgeries and revisions. Future research will continue to define roles for the robot in the setting of gender-affirming surgery, improve outcomes, and develop novel techniques.https://doi.org/10.1177/17562872251336639
spellingShingle Karen M. Doersch
Lily Kong
Christodoulos Kaoutzanis
Ty Higuchi
The role of the surgical robot in gender-affirming surgery: a scoping review
Therapeutic Advances in Urology
title The role of the surgical robot in gender-affirming surgery: a scoping review
title_full The role of the surgical robot in gender-affirming surgery: a scoping review
title_fullStr The role of the surgical robot in gender-affirming surgery: a scoping review
title_full_unstemmed The role of the surgical robot in gender-affirming surgery: a scoping review
title_short The role of the surgical robot in gender-affirming surgery: a scoping review
title_sort role of the surgical robot in gender affirming surgery a scoping review
url https://doi.org/10.1177/17562872251336639
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