Pred- in pooperativna fizioterapevtska obravnava transmaskulinih oseb po mastektomiji : diplomsko delo

Perger Majeršič, Tjaša (author), Šćepanović, Darija (mentor), Demšar, Nina (comentor)

Uvod: Transspolni posamezniki (osebe, katerih spolna identiteta se ne ujema s spolom, ki jim je bil pripisan ob rojstvu) lahko z namenom potrditve svoje identitete vstopajo v proces prehajana oz. tranzicije. Le-ta lahko vključuje različne medicinske postopke, kot so hormonska terapija in operativni posegi, med katerimi je odstranitev prsi oz. mastektomija pri transmaskulinih osebah. Namen: Namen diplomskega dela je bil na podlagi izvedene ankete predstaviti izkušnje transmaskulinih oseb z operativnim posegom mastektomije s poudarkom na pred- in pooperativni obravnavi ter simptomih in težavah, kjer bi lahko bila indicirana fizioterapevtska obravnava. Metode dela: Podatke smo zbrali s spletnim vprašalnikom. Populacija, ki nas je zanimala, so bile transmaskuline osebe, ki so se vključile v proces medicinske tranzicije ter so imele operacijo odstranitve prsi v okviru slovenskega zdravstvenega sistema. Zaradi majhnosti populacije smo uporabili model snežne kepe. Rezultati: Končni vzorec je zajemal 14 udeležencev. Imeli so dokaj raznolike izkušnje s samo operacijo, čakanjem nanjo, navodili pred in po njej. Bolj enotni so bili odgovori o fizioterapevtski obravnavi, saj se večina vanjo ni vključila niti po navodilih niti prostovoljno. Večina anketirancev je imela pred operacijo izkušnje s prakso povezovanja prsi ter z njo povezanimi stranskimi učinki in negativnimi simptomi. Imeli so tudi težave z ukrivljeno telesno držo in z njo povezanimi bolečinami v hrbtenici, oboje se je po operaciji izboljšalo. Razprava in zaključek: Na podlagi dostopne literature ter rezultatov ankete smo identificirali nekatera področja, na katerih imamo fizioterapevti kompetence, s katerimi bi lahko izboljšali kakovost življenja transspolnih posameznikov: povezovanje prsi, telesna drža in z njo povezane bolečine, obravnava brazgotin. Identificirali smo tudi načine, na katere fizioterapevti reproduciramo oz. širimo družbeno stigmo, in kako se temu izogniti. Ker gre za marginalizirano populacijo, je prisoten primanjkljaj informacij in raziskav, zato je pomembno samoizobraževanje, zavzemanje za več usmerjenega raziskovanja (le tako lahko prakticiramo z dokazi podprto fizioterapijo) ter zavezanost k vrednotam enakosti in dostojanstva ne glede na osebne okoliščine.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: diplomska dela, fizioterapija, transspolnost, spolna disforija, zgornja operacija, tranzicija spola, proces prehajanja, povezovanje prsi
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Typology: 2.11 - Undergraduate Thesis
• Organization: ZF - Faculty of Health Sciences
• Place of publishing: Ljubljana
• Publisher: [T. Perger Majeršič]
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 47 str., [7] str. pril.
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-184147
• UDC: 615.8
• COBISS.SI-ID: 283242243
• Publication date in RUL: 01.07.2026

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Pre- and postoperative physiotherapy of transmasculine people undergoing top surgery : diploma work

Abstract

Introduction: Transgender individuals (individuals whose gender identity does not match the sex assigned to them at birth) may undergo a transition process to affirm their identity. This process may include various medical procedures such as hormone therapy and surgical interventions, one of which is breast removal or mastectomy for transmasculine individuals. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis was to present the experiences of transmasculine individuals with mastectomy surgery based on a conducted survey, focusing on pre- and post-operative care, symptoms and issues where physiotherapeutic intervention could be indicated. Methods: We conducted an online questionnaire targeting transmasculine individuals who had undergone breast removal surgery within the Slovenian healthcare system as part of their medical transition process. Due to the small population, we utilized a snowball sampling method. Results: The final sample consisted of 14 respondents. They had diverse experiences with the surgery itself, waiting times, pre- and post-operative instructions. Responses regarding physiotherapeutic treatment were more consistent, as the majority did not engage in it neither per instructions nor voluntarily. Most respondents had experiences with chest binding practices before surgery, along with associated side effects and negative symptoms. They also experienced difficulties with a hunched body posture and related back pain, which improved after surgery. Discussion and Conclusion: Based on available literature and survey results, we identified areas where physiotherapists have competencies to improve the quality of life for transgender individuals (chest binding, body posture, pain management related to it, scar treatment). We also identified ways in which physiotherapists may reproduce social stigma and how to avoid that. Due to the marginalized nature of this population, there is a lack of information and research, highlighting the importance of self-education, striving for further research (to ensure evidence-based practice), and commitment to equality and dignity regardless of personal circumstances.

• Keywords: diploma theses, physiotherapy, transgender, gender dysphoria, top surgery, gender transition, transition process, chest binding