Comparison Between Patient and Plastic Surgeon Aesthetic Analysis in Rhinoplasty Consultation

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Aesthetics
• Patient Satisfaction

Background:

• Rhinoplasty success relies on patient self-image satisfaction.
• Surgeons use scientific nasal measurements for aesthetic analysis.
• Patient perception is crucial for rhinoplasty outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare surgeon and patient aesthetic evaluations of the nose.
• To identify areas of agreement and disagreement in nasal analysis between surgeons and patients.
• To inform strategies for improving patient satisfaction in rhinoplasty.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 57 primary rhinoplasty consultations.
• Identical questionnaires on nasal appearance administered to surgeons and patients.
• Statistical analysis using Cohen's Kappa and Pearson's correlation coefficient.

Main Results:

• Moderate agreement observed for overall nasal appearance (κ = 0.2-0.39).
• Highest agreement on "dorsal hump" (κ = 0.6) and "tip drops down" (κ = 0.41).
• Significant disagreement noted for the columella and suitability of the front nose (κ < 0).

Conclusions:

• Surgeons and patients show minimal agreement on nasal aesthetics, particularly the columella and front nasal suitability.
• Areas of greatest consensus include dorsal hump and tip appearance.
• Addressing aesthetic discrepancies can enhance surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction.