title: [Prospective assessment of quality of life after auricular reconstruction with porous polyethylene].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Microtia is associated with increased psychosocial morbidity. The literature contains three purely retrospective studies using validated tools. These studies show that auricular reconstruction leads to a significant improvement in health-related quality of life in affected children and adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective approach, the authors assessed 21 consecutive microtia patients (return rate 81 %; 7 children and 10 adults) before and after auricular reconstruction with porous polyethylene using the following validated questionnaires: Glasgow Health Status Inventory (GHSI), Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36), Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (CEQ) and Kidscreen-52.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An improved health-related quality of life was detected with all applied instruments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A subjective benefit of auricular reconstruction with porous polyethylene can be shown using prospective, as well retrospective tools.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen-, Ohrenheilkunde, Klinikum der Universität München, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, München, Deutschland.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hempel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Knöbl
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berghaus
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Braun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D065817:Congenital Microtia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020959:Polyethylene; D016062:Porosity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020959:Polyethylene