Orchiectomy in transgenders and gender-diverse people

Transgenders and gender-diverse people may opt for genital gender-affirming surgery. In most transgender healthcare institutions, surgical options for genital feminization comprise simple bilateral orchiectomy, vulvoplasty without vaginal cavity, or vaginoplasty. Orchiectomy is the simplest of these procedures with the fewest complications. Advantages of the orchiectomy procedure are the relatively quick and easy surgical procedure without high risk on (major) complications, quick recovery, and the fact that antiandrogen medication can be cessated after surgery. In this chapter, motivations, surgical (contraindications), technical aspects, surgical considerations, and outcomes of gender-affirming orchiectomy are discussed.