XVI Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association Symposium
17 - 21 August 1999, London

Reflections on "Transsexualism and Sex Reassignment" 1969 -1999

The Devastating Outcome of Silicone Oil Injections

Hage, JJ, Kanhai RCJ, and Karim RB

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Driven by a persistent and unchangeable need to undo the discrepancy between physical reality of the body and gender of the mind, most male-to-female transsexuals seek physical feminization through hormonal and surgical treatment. In cases where the hormonal treatment has not resulted in sufficient growth of the subcutaneous fatty tissue to obtain a distinct feminine figure, augmentation by injection of up to 5 liters of silicone oil is sometimes performed by professionals or laymen.

A survey is presented of 5 such cases who presented at our out patient clinic with the devastating long-term outcome of such ‘treatment’. Inflammation of soft tissues was evident in all. Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed the silicone to have migrated with gravity. It causes edema and granulomatous reactions in the subcutaneous layers of the affected parts of the body. As a result, body contour became distorted. Treatment is as devastating as the ailment itself. Soft tissue injections with silicone oil induce severe long-term complications and should be regarded dangerous and obsolete. It has been associated with the induction of malignancies. Any professional injecting silicone oil to augment body contour is to be considered a quack.