Quality of Life after Rhinoplasty: A Prospective Study

Overview

The authors state their previous work found cosmetic surgery correlates positively with wellbeing afterward. This study prospectively examined quality of life changes after rhinoplasty. Thirty four patients operated on by a single surgeon between July 2015 and October 2018 completed a set of questionnaires before surgery and at six months.

Sections of note

• Prospective cohort study, level II; 34 patients, single surgeon.
• Instruments used were an indication specific self developed questionnaire plus the FLZM life satisfaction module, the Freiburg Personality Inventory, the Rosenberg self esteem scale, the FROI-17 and the Glasgow Benefit Inventory.
• Assessments were before surgery and at 6 months.
• The general part of the FLZM showed increased sum scores at follow up, P equals 0.005.
• For the health item, follow up scores were better than reference norm data, P equals 0.003.
• Nose appearance improved significantly, P less than 0.0001, and exceeded reference data, P less than 0.010.
• All FROI-17 items improved: overall nose P less than 0.0001, nasal function P equals 0.001, general and further symptoms P equals 0.006, and confidence from aesthetic change P less than 0.0001.
• The Glasgow Benefit Inventory score also showed improved quality of life, P less than 0.0001.

What it means for a patient

• Patients reported gains in both appearance and breathing, and in general life satisfaction.
• The largest improvements were in nose appearance and in confidence connected to it.
• Thirty four patients treated by one surgeon, with no control group, is a small study.
• Follow up was six months, which does not capture longer term change or later dissatisfaction.

Why this paper matters

Rhinoplasty is often justified by psychological benefit, and this study measures that across several validated instruments rather than a single satisfaction score. It supports a short term gain in general wellbeing. Whether the effect persists past six months is not addressed.

Terms

• Quality of life: a measure of general wellbeing and daily functioning.
• FLZM: a German questionnaire measuring satisfaction across life domains.
• FROI-17: the Functional Rhinoplasty Outcome Inventory, a 17 item nose specific questionnaire.
• Glasgow Benefit Inventory: a questionnaire measuring change in wellbeing after an intervention.
• Prospective cohort: a study following a group forward in time from enrollment.