Surgical Specialty Matters: A Multicenter Post-otoplasty Satisfaction Comparative Study between Plastic Surgeons and Otolaryngologists

Prominent ear deformity (prominauris) is a common congenital condition affecting approximately 5% of the population. It can cause significant psychological and social challenges from childhood through adulthood. Otoplasty aims to correct this deformity, improving self-esteem and quality of life. Although various surgical specialties-including otolaryngology, plastic, and maxillofacial surgeons-perform otoplasty, differences in training and aesthetic focus may affect outcomes. This study addresses this gap by evaluating postoperative satisfaction between patients treated by plastic surgeons and those treated by otolaryngologists.

This multicenter cross-sectional study assessed postoperative satisfaction among otoplasty patients operated on by plastic surgeons versus otolaryngologists at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) and King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Demographic and clinical variables were collected, and patient satisfaction was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. Data were gathered via phone interviews and online forms. Statistical analysis was performed using JASP software, employing the Shapiro-Wilk test, paired-samples t test, and Mann-Whitney U test to assess satisfaction outcomes and group differences. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained prior to data collection.

A total of 96 Saudi patients (45 females, 51 males) underwent otoplasty, showing significant improvement in satisfaction post-surgery (mean difference = 39.76, p < .001). Patients treated by plastic surgeons and at KKUH reported higher satisfaction gains than those treated by otolaryngologists or at KAUH (p < .001). Gender showed no significant impact on satisfaction improvement (p = 0.423). Due to non-normal data distribution (Shapiro-Wilk p = 0.003), non-parametric tests were used, highlighting specialty and treatment center as key influencing factors.

Otoplasty was associated with improved patient-reported satisfaction. Greater satisfaction gains were observed among patients treated by plastic surgeons than among those treated by otolaryngologists. These cross-sectional findings do not establish the independent effects of surgical specialty or treatment center. Further controlled studies are needed to clarify the observed association.

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