Three-Dimensional Simulation Accuracy and Patient Satisfaction With Rhinoplasty.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Medical Simulation
• Aesthetic Medicine

Background:

• Effective communication of expected outcomes is crucial for patient satisfaction after rhinoplasty.
• Three-dimensional (3D) simulation offers a promising method for aligning patient expectations with surgical plans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the relationship between the accuracy of 3D simulations and patient satisfaction following rhinoplasty.
• To assess the efficacy of the Crisalix simulation platform in predicting rhinoplasty outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 38 patients undergoing aesthetic rhinoplasty with preoperative 3D simulation.
• Morphometric analysis compared simulated nasal parameters with postoperative results.
• Patient satisfaction assessed via FACE-Q scale; similarity scores rated by patients and surgeons.

Main Results:

• 3D simulation accuracy showed a strong correlation with patient satisfaction (ρ = 0.66, P < .001), closely following physician scores (ρ = 0.71, P < .001).
• Revision cases exhibited greater simulation discrepancies and lower satisfaction, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Higher predictive accuracy of 3D preoperative simulations is significantly linked to increased patient satisfaction.
• 3D simulation is a valuable tool for aligning surgical outcomes with patient expectations and enhancing shared decision-making.