Trends in Cosmetic Facial Plastic Surgery Post COVID-19 Pandemic

With the relaxation of COVID-19 pandemic-related operative restrictions, the scheduling of elective facial plastic surgery (FPS) cases has increased in comparison to the early pandemic levels. Our study aimed to compare the surgical volume of cosmetic FPS cases in 2018 (pre COVID-19 pandemic) to the volume in 2021 at both a tertiary care academic practice and community practice.

A retrospective chart review was performed at a tertiary academic medical center and community practice. Information abstracted from the patient records included demographics, date of surgery, and procedures performed (blepharoplasty, septorhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, and brow lift).

A total of 139 patients met the inclusion criteria: 58 (41.7%) patients in 2018 and 81 (58.3%) patients in 2021. There was a significant increase in FPS among patients younger than 30 years of age-with a 13.6% increase from 2018 to 2021 (P = 0.02). Additionally, there was a significant increase in septorhinoplasty by 20.5% from 2018 to 2021 across all age groups (P = 0.01). Furthermore, the odds of having a septorhinoplasty in 2021 were 144% higher compared with 2018 (odds ratio: 2.44, 95% confidence interval [1.19-5.11]). The only cosmetic surgery to significantly decrease in volume during the postpandemic time period was rhytidectomy (odds ratio: 0.33, 95% confidence interval [0.12-0.82]).

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant rise in FPS in patients younger than 30 years, particularly those opting for septorhinoplasty. The etiology of this increase is not clear. However, possible explanations include: increased disposable income, "Zoom dysmorphia," and the ability for discreet recovery behind a mask.