Health
Top Surgeons Urge Caution on Child Gender Surgeries
Clear Facts
- The American Society of Plastic Surgeons advised doctors to postpone gender-related surgeries for minors, citing weak supporting evidence.
- The organization said existing research on pediatric gender surgeries shows low-quality data and unclear long-term outcomes.
- ASPS emphasized that professional self-regulation, not punitive laws, should guide medical decisions for these cases.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons issued a statement calling for a delay in gender-related surgeries for those under 19, citing lack of reliable evidence on outcomes and patient safety.
They highlighted that current data does not prove a favorable risk–benefit ratio for minors undergoing breast, chest, genital, or facial procedures.
“Patient autonomy does not require physicians to provide interventions absent a favorable risk–benefit profile, especially when patients are minors with developing decision-making capacity,” the statement said.
Recent reviews from the U.S. and several European governments questioned the benefits once assumed for these irreversible treatments, pointing out limited research quality and short follow-up periods.
ASPS noted that many children with early gender distress symptoms see improvement without surgery or medication, but data for adolescents remain unclear.
Ethical concerns were raised about the lasting impact, including permanent changes to fertility and ongoing medical needs, supporting a more cautious approach.
The group rejected the idea that patient preference should override medical standards when evidence is uncertain, especially among young patients.
Although the ASPS supports delaying such procedures, the group opposes any efforts to criminalize medical decisions and stresses the importance of self-regulation within the profession.
“The Trump Administration will not stand by while ideology, misinformation and propaganda push vulnerable young people into decisions they cannot fully understand and that they can never reverse,” Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said.
Stay informed on how this guidance could shape future health policy and the ongoing national debate over gender procedures for minors.
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