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Published on: June 20, 2018
Aesthetic outcome after nasal reconstruction: patient versus panel perception
Sanne E Moolenburgh1, Marc A M Mureau, Stefan O P Hofer
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Summary Background:
Nasal reconstruction after extensive ablative therapy poses a reconstructive challenge. The aim of this study was to assess subjective aesthetic outcome after nasal reconstruction scored by patients and a panel. In addition, inter-rater variability as well as important parameters of good aesthetic outcome were analysed.
Methods:
A total of 39 consecutive patients treated between November 2001 and May 2005 for (sub) total nasal defects were included. All patients were photographed in a standardised setting. Subjective aesthetic outcome (eight different nasal characteristics on a five-point Likert scale) was assessed by reconstructed patients individually as well as an independent professional panel consisting of five plastic surgeons.
Results:
Thirty-three patients (87%) participated in the follow-up study. Questionnaire results demonstrated statistically significant lower panel satisfaction scores (3.5+/-0.9) with total nasal appearance than patients (4.2+/-1.3; P=0.03). There was a high agreement among panel members as judged by a low inter-rater variability. No relationship between severity of nasal defects and aesthetic outcome was found by patients or professionals.
Conclusion:
Patient subjective aesthetic outcome was significantly higher than that of a professional panel. Severity of nasal deformity was not an indicator for patient satisfaction.
