SO23. Prospective Long-term Sensory Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Gender-affirming Mastectomy With Targeted Nipple Reinnervation (TNR)

PURPOSE: We have previously reported on sensory outcomes following gender-affirming mastectomy (GAM) with targeted nipple reinnervation (TNR) using nerve allograft. However, we have transitioned to TNR using direct nerve coaptation (DC) and present the long-term sensory outcomes. METHODS:3 2 subjects (GAM +TNR with DC) were compared to 32 controls (GAM -TNR). Surveys were administered, and Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) was performed (light touch, pinprick, vibration, temperature, pressure, and 2-point discrimination (2PD) thresholds) at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At 12 months postoperatively, 82% of subjects versus 4% of controls reported “complete,” or “a lot,” of NAC sensation. Subject’s light touch at the chest and NAC was greater than that of controls at all timepoints (p<0.05). At 12 months, subject’s NAC light touch was significantly greater than baseline (p<0.005), while controls demonstrated significantly less light touch and pinprick sensation than preoperatively (p<0.001, p<0.005). See Figure 3 for 12-month QST results. CONCLUSION: Subjects who undergo FNG with TNR using DC demonstrate significantly improved NAC sensation compared to controls and recover baseline preoperative sensation.