Abstract
Introduction
Rhinoplasty is a challenging procedure. The goal of the surgery is not only to restore the function and youthful appearance of the nose but also to improve quality of life. With the passage of time, the trend has been changing rapidly from more invasive to less invasive procedures. Although the technical aspects of rhinoplasty are important, patient satisfaction is the factor that dictates the success of the procedure.
Materials and methods
A total of 118 rhinoplasties were performed in our department between 2016 and 2018. The Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) questionnaire was used to study the patients' satisfaction level. Ninety out of 118 patients took part in this study. Rhinoplasty was done using an open technique in all cases. The ROE questionnaire was filled preoperation and six months postoperation. Data analysis was done using SSPS statistic version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US).
Results
The main reasons for rhinoplasty in our patients were: aesthetic 23.3% (n=21), functional 25.5% (n=23), and a combination of both in 51% (n=46) patients. The mean ROE score of all patients preoperation was 30.5 (males: 31.3, females 29.8) and the mean score postoperation was 79.5 (males 78.2, females 80.9) at six months with no statistical differences (CI 17.11 - 12.59, P=0.762). However, both genders showed a statistically significant improvement between the preoperative and postoperative scores (mean difference = 49.3, CI 63.25 - 35.34, P<0.01), indicating an overall good satisfaction level after surgery. The satisfaction level of patients was inversely proportional to their level of understanding and knowledge of the surgical procedure. This difference was statistically significant ( CI 7.36-10.42, P<0.01). Minor corrections or modifications were done in eight patients under local anesthesia, with no significant difference in ROE scores as compared to those who had single surgery (CI 0.7 - 1.6, P=0.92). There was no statistically significant difference in the before and after surgery ROE scores among patients operated by different surgeons as well (P=0.82).
Conclusion
Our study shows that rhinoplasty, despite being a complex procedure, has proven benefits in terms of functional as well as aesthetic outcomes. The ROE questionnaire proves to be a valid tool for estimating patient satisfaction in our population. There is a need for further training and education of surgeons in Pakistan to improve the functional and aesthetic disabilities of nasal deformities.