The Educational Reliability and Viewer Interest of YouTube Videos Presenting Otoplasty Procedures

Otoplasty procedures consist of around 30% of facial plastics surgeries in the adult population. In this study, we aimed to assess the reliability of YouTube otoplasty videos based on technical video analysis, usefulness scores, and recommended surgical steps.

The present study evaluated 356 videos after a search on YouTube with the keywords "otoplasty, prominent ear, cosmetic otoplasty, and aesthetic ear surgery" during the period from October 2008 to June 2020. The viewer interest parameters such as the total number of views, comments, subscribers, likes, dislikes, source of videos, and video upload date were assessed. Besides, usefulness scores and recommended surgical steps were also analyzed.

Among the 356 videos that were compatible with the keywords of the study, only 122 (34%) of them were in agreement with the inclusion criteria. Group 1 (not useful and slightly useful) comprised 69 (57%) videos, and Group 2 (useful and very useful) consisted of 53 (43%) videos. The mean numbers of views, subscribers, and likes were 20544.65 ± 55235.41, 6718.37 ± 20213.54, and 44.34 ± 121.48, respectively, in Group 1, and 82905.22 ± 292819.49, 18603.57 ± 58007.94, and 1089.09 ± 6991.91, respectively, in Group 2. All 3 parameters were significantly higher in Group 2 than Group 1 (P: 0.02, P: 0.005, P: 0.01, respectively).

Overall, only 43% of YouTube videos presenting otoplasty procedures were defined as useful or very useful. The interest rates of the viewers are compatible with the usefulness rate of the otoplasty videos.