Three-Dimensional Simulation Accuracy and Patient Satisfaction With Rhinoplasty

Achieving aesthetic satisfaction in patients undergoing rhinoplasty requires not only surgical precision but also effective communication of expected outcomes. Three-dimensional (3D) simulation has emerged as a promising tool for aligning patient expectations with surgical planning.

The authors of this study aim to evaluate the relationship between postoperative satisfaction in patients undergoing rhinoplasty and 3D simulation accuracy using the Crisalix simulation platform (Crisalix SA, Lausanne, Switzerland).

This retrospective study included 38 patients who underwent aesthetic rhinoplasty with preoperative 3D simulation. Morphometric analysis compared the nasal parameters of the simulations with actual postoperative outcomes. Patient satisfaction was assessed using the FACE-Q scale. Similarity scores were rated by each patient and 2 independent surgeons, and the correlations were analyzed.

Crisalix simulation accuracy showed a strong correlation with postoperative patient satisfaction (ρ = 0.66, P < .001), second only to physician aesthetic scores (ρ = 0.71, P < .001). Subgroup analyses showed greater simulation discrepancies and lower satisfaction in revision cases, although the differences were not statistically significant.

The authors of this study found higher predictive accuracy, utilizing 3D preoperative simulations, to be significantly associated with greater patient satisfaction. These findings underscore the potential utility of 3D simulation as a tool for aligning surgical outcomes with patient expectations and enhancing shared decision making.