Doctor criticised for breast removal surgery

Peter Stanners
November 13, 2012 - 12:00

http://cphpost.dk/news/national/doctor-criticised-breast-removal-surgery

A specialist doctor has been formally criticised by the health agency, Sundhedsvæsnet, for last year performing an operation to remove the breasts of a 15-year-old transsexual child.

Born with a female body, Caspian's family said that he had acted as a boy from an early age and as a result had started taking male hormones that meant he had developed a deep voice and stubble. The hormones did not, however, prevent Caspian from developing noticeable breasts that he wanted to get rid of.

Caspian was referred to the Sexologisk Klinik at Rigshospital, which is responsible for approving sex change operations by the national health service. They turned him down for a procedure to remove his breasts, however, as only people aged 18 or over can be considered for the operation, which can only take place after several years of studies and psychological testing.

Caspian could not wait that long, so he and his family approached a private clinic, the HC Andersen Klinikken in Odense, in May 2011. After three months of consultation, doctor Jens Pilegaard Bjarnesen performed an operation to completely remove Caspian's breast tissue.

While the family stated that Caspian thrived after the operation, Sundhedsstyrelsen's disciplinary body last October decided to launch an investigation into the decision by the private clinic to completely remove the breast tissue, an irreversible procedure, rather than perform breast reduction surgery.

While I hope we can maintain the general support for the 16+ rule, we can only hope that this Dr had some medical justification for his decision. It isn't something in which I have any expertise, but it's feasible that, if the child had grown as male, was generally seen as male then it would be cruel to make him wait a few more months for such a crucial operation.

You have to love the Danes. I have a special place in my hart for them