Tracheal Shave in Gender Affirmation: Form, Function, and the Delicate Balance

Monday, October 19, 2026

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Location: 404A

Moderator(s)

Rhorie P.R. Kerr, MD, FACS

Assistant Professor
Eastern Virginia Health Science Center At Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Panelist(s)

Abie H. Mendelsohn, MD, FACS

Surgeon
Los Angeles Center for Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy
Los Angeles, CA, United States
DK

Daniel Knott, MD

Professor
University of California, San Francisco Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
Mill Valley, California, United States
Rhorie P.R. Kerr, MD, FACS

Assistant Professor
Eastern Virginia Health Science Center At Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia, United States

Disclosure(s):

Abie H. Mendelsohn, MD, FACS:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

This panel will focus specifically on the tracheal shave procedure in gender affirming surgery and will focus specifically on how to achieve the desired aesthetic result while avoiding the complication of dysponia / anterior commissure disruption. Drs. Knott and Kerr are facial plastic surgeons and Dr. Mendelsohn is laryngology. Dr. Kerr specializes in the endoscopic transoral approach, Dr. Knott utilizes a direct transoral approach, and Dr. Mendelsohn performs tracheal shave surgery as well as gender affirming vocal surgery and vocal repair after complications. Each panelist will lend a unique perspective on balancing form and functional consequences. The session will include videos, images, pre and post results and voice assessments.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize anatomical landmarks, limitations, and no go zones.
avoid vocal disruption complications.
discuss expectations and limitations with patients.