Health-related Quality of Life Outcome of Adult Patients after Otoplasty

Abstract

Prominent ears are relatively frequent. Decreased self-esteem, increased anxiety, behavioral problems and social avoidance may result from disfigurement. In modern medicine it is becoming increasingly important to measure the benefit of surgical intervention by its impact on the patient's Quality of Life (QOL). Our study was performed in a retrospective manner at our institution including 40 adult patients with prominent ears. The Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI), a reproducible, valid and responsive questionnaire, was the basis of the used inquiry for detecting the changes in HRQOL after otoplasty. We showed an improvement in GBI subscores after intervention. There was no difference in GBI subscores between men and women. The follow-up time as well as critical life event and chronic concomitant disease have no influence on the GBI results. Otoplasty has a positive impact on the HRQOL of adult patients with prominent ears. The importance of this benefit is not only of individual nature. In times of healthcare economization, an amelioration of QOL followed by increased productivity at work of the individual is an important argument to justify health care expenditures. We believe that otoplasty is an appropriate therapy for selected adult patients burdened by prominent ears.

Autonomy support in primary care—validation of the German version of the Health Care Climate Questionnaire

“…Our study sample consisted of 351 patients. A sample of 400 patients is needed to perform an appropriate evaluation of a questionnaire [23,24], 300 respondents are recommended to replicate structural analysis [25]. The distribution of patients' major sociodemographic characteristics was comparable to the largest German health plan (WldO, Scientific Institute of the AOK [Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse] -international report [26]).…”

CO2 Laser-Assisted Otoplasty: A New Dermatosurgical Procedure

“…The results of this retrospective revision demonstrated a significant enhancement in attitude toward life, greater than before courage to face life, and healthier self-confidence [5].…”

Y-to-V Setback for Prominent Lobule Correction in Otoplasty

“…3,4 It is a significant deformity that may cause anxiety and low selfconfidence in school children. 4,5 Advances in plastic surgery have also effected approach to correction of prominent ear deformity, and various techniques have been developed over time.…”

“…3,4 It is a significant deformity that may cause anxiety and low selfconfidence in school children. 4,5 Advances in plastic surgery have also effected approach to correction of prominent ear deformity, and various techniques have been developed over time. 4,6 Over 200 different techniques for otoplasty have been published until now and new techniques or modifications of previous techniques are still popular in the plastic surgery literature.…”