Health-related quality of life, patient benefit, and clinical outcome after otoplasty using suture techniques in 62 children and adults.
BACKGROUND
The available medical literature lacks data about the effect of otoplasty on health-related quality of life.


METHODS
In the present study, 84 patients, having received otoplasty using a suture technique, were asked to answer validated questionnaires (the Glasgow Benefit Inventory and the Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory, respectively); Glasgow Benefit Inventory and Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory scores can range from -100 (maximal adverse effect) through 0 (no effect) to 100 (maximal positive effect).


RESULTS
Sixty-two patients (73.8 percent) returned a valid questionnaire. For the adults' cohort (n=21), the mean total Glasgow Benefit Inventory score was 30.6; 100.0 percent were satisfied with the aesthetic result, and 90.5 percent would again decide in favor of the operation. For the children's cohort (n=41), the mean total Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory score was 24.1; 95.1 percent of the parents and 95.1 percent of the children were satisfied with the aesthetic result; and 97.6 percent of the parents and 92.7 percent of the children would again decide in favor of the operation. The health-related quality of life was elevated in 95.2 percent of the adults and 95.1 percent of the children. The additional compilation of clinical outcome parameters and complications confirmed the effectiveness and safety of an otoplasty using suture techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Otoplasty using suture techniques can significantly increase patients' health-related quality of life and leads to a high rate of patient satisfaction.
Braun
Thomas
T
Munich, Germany From the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig Maximilian University.
Hainzinger
Thomas
T
Stelter
Klaus
K
Krause
Eike
E
Berghaus
Alexander
A
Hempel
John Martin
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003657:Decision Making; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013536:Suture Techniques; D055815:Young Adult