Quality of Life After Mustardé Otoplasty for Prominent Ears

Introduction: Patient-indications for pursuing otoplasty for prominent ears and post-operative satisfaction vary. This study examines patients' quality of life (QoL) following Mustardé otoplasty for prominent ears and examines associations between surgical indications and post-operative ear appearance satisfaction on QoL. Methods: Patients who underwent Mustardé otoplasty for prominent ears from 2009 to 2023 were invited to complete the EAR-Q scale (scores range from 0 to 100), and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) or Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory (GCBI) (scores range from -100 to +100). Associations with QoL (GBI/GCBI score) and surgical indications were analyzed using linear regression. Associations between QoL (GBI/GCBI) and post-operative ear appearance satisfaction were analyzed using Spearman's correlation. Results: Forty-two patients completed the questionnaire (59% response rate, average age 18.9 years). Nearly all (41/42) patients reported a positive change in QoL. The median GBI and GCBI scores were 30.0 [16.7, 46.7] and 33.3 [17.7, 44.8], respectively. The median EAR-Q score was 64 (56.0-76.0). Patients whose primary indication was self-consciousness had, on average, a 13.8-point higher GBI/GCBI score than those with parent- or peer-driven indications (P=.04). Conclusions: In general, the Mustardé otoplasty was associated with an increase in patients' post-operative QoL and satisfaction with ear appearance. The greatest increases in QoL were seen when the indication for surgery was patient motivated (patient concern). These findings suggest that patient-driven motivation for surgery is associated with greater post-operative QoL improvements and may be an important consideration in surgical counselling and timing.