Application of the FACE-Q rhinoplasty module in a mixed reconstructive and corrective rhinoplasty population in Finland

Abstract

The FACE-Q Rhinoplasty module is a patient-reported outcome instrument developed for the assessment of primarily aesthetic outcomes of rhinoplasty. The aim of our study was to produce a Finnish version of the instrument and validate it for use in patients undergoing nasal reconstruction as well as those treated with a rhinoplasty. Finnish versions of the FACE-Q scales Satisfaction with Nose, Satisfaction with Nostrils and Adverse Effects: Nose, were translated following established guidelines. Patients undergoing nasal resection, reconstruction or rhinoplasty in Helsinki University Hospital plastic surgery department in 2009-2019 were identified using theatre records. A total of 240 Finnish-speaking patients 18-85 years old were approached with a postal survey questionnaire. The questionnaire included the translated FACE-Q modules and those for Satisfaction with Facial Appearance, Appearance-Related Psychosocial Distress and Satisfaction with Outcome, as well as the general health-related quality of life instrument 15 D. The FACE-Q scales translated readily to Finnish. Eighty-three patients (35%) responded to the survey. Most FACE-Q scales performed well with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas 0.87-0.92) and repeatability. Only the Adverse Effects: Nose scale displayed poor consistency and a floor effect with 18% of the patients reporting no adverse outcomes. Answers to the Appearance-Related Psychosocial Distress scale were skewed towards no experienced stress. Answers to the other scales were normally distributed with weak correlation with 15 D dimensions. The Finnish translations of the FACE-Q Rhinoplasty scales perform well at assessing a diverse group of patients including those undergoing nasal reconstruction as well as those undergoing rhinoplasty.

Validation of the Finnish FACE-Q for use in patients undergoing surgery for functional problems or malignancy

“…The median score for the Satisfaction with Facial Appearance scores observed here, 58, is similar to that previously recorded for patients undergoing surgery in the periorbital or nasal region in our institute, 55 for both patient groups [12,14]. It is worse than the satisfaction reported for postoperative facial trauma patients, 66, or facelift patients, 74, but better than that observed for preoperative facelift patients, 44 [10,27].…”

“…The FACE-Q instrument was originally developed with aesthetic surgical patients. However, its components have since been shown to be valid in assessing the outcomes of patients undergoing procedures for nonaesthetic reasons such as surgery for facial trauma, orthognathic surgery and nasal reconstruction [10][11][12]. Recently, the FACE-Q Craniofacial module has been psychometrically validated for use in patients with facial paralysis [13].…”

“…There is a need for further study on the performance of the FACE-Q scales in non-aesthetic patient populations to guide its future use. In addition, studies examining the test-retest reliability of the FACE-Q components are sparse [12,14].…”