The Psychologic and Psychosocial Impact of Otoplasty on Children and Adults.
BACKGROUND
In previous studies, our research group already evaluated the impact of aesthetic surgery on "quality of life" (QoL). This study evaluates QoL factors and perceptions of well-being after otoplasty as a single indication.


METHODS
Eighty-one patients who underwent otoplasty were divided into three age groups: Youth 1 (Y1) = 8-12 years (n = 17), Youth 1 (Y2) = 13-17 years (n = 13), and Adult ≥18 years (n = 51). For competitive analysis, 2 groups of tests were used: a standardized self-assessment test on life satisfaction (FLZ(M)), the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), the standardized Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the standardized Freiburg Personality Inventory (FPI-R), the Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4), and a self-developed and indication-specific questionnaire for "Adult" group. The tools for the groups Y1 and Y2 were: PHQ-4, KINDL(R), the Glasgow Child Benefit Inventory (GCBI), and a self-developed and indication-specific questionnaire either.


RESULTS
Our data bared numerous significant improvements on patients' QoL. In the items "friends" (P = 0.036) and "freedom of anxiety" (P = 0.034) of the FLZ(M), important improvements were found. In section "satisfaction with appearance" (body image), the items "hair" (P = 0.003) and "ear" (P = 0.034) were to point out. The RSES (P = 0.001) and the FPI-R (P = 0.035) data indicated a well-balanced emotional stability. The results of the GBI/GCBI (P = 0.000/P = 0.000) showed a higher QoL of postsurgery patients. The data of the KINDL questionnaire provided increasing values in the modules "friends" (P = 0.033) and "total score" (P = 0.040) for boys of the ages 8 to 12. For all age groups, there was a less affinity to depression (PHQ-4) and a high satisfaction with the aesthetical result (indication-specific questionnaire).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed higher QoL in all age groups by using standardized tools in comparison with the norm data. The knowledge of postoperative psychologic benefits, such as "satisfaction with appearance" (body image) and "different areas of life," self-confidence, and self-esteem as well as lower level of depression support meaningfulness of otoplasty.


METHODS
Therapeutic, III: Retrospective cohort or comparative study.
Nikolaos A
NA
Papadopulos
Richard
R
Niehaus
Emanuel
E
Keller
Gerhard
G
Henrich
Othon N
ON
Papadopoulos
Rainer
R
Staudenmaier
Laszlo
L
Kovacs
Peter Herschbach
Hanno
H
Pototschnig
Hans-Günther
HG
Machens
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D004644:Emotions; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010551:Personality; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult