Abstract: Patient Satisfaction after Facial Reconstruction Using the FACE-Q Questionnaires

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Patient reported outcomes using the FACE-Q questionnaires have become a useful method to evaluate the effectiveness of aesthetic procedures, such as face lifts, blepharoplasty, and rhinoplasty.1–3 Despite these advancements, patient reported outcomes after facial reconstructive procedures are lacking. This study aims to evaluate the satisfaction of patients undergoing reconstructive procedures after facial trauma. METHODS: Patients treated for facial injuries at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center were asked to complete four FACE-Q questionnaires: 1. Satisfaction with Outcome, 2. Psychological Well-Being, 3. Social Function, and 4. Satisfaction with Medical Team. Each questionnaire was scored from 0 to 100, with higher score indicating greater satisfaction. The mean score for each questionnaire was calculated. Univariate analysis was used to determine differences in satisfaction between patients with significant facial disfigurement and those with none or minimal disfigurement. RESULTS: One hundred nine patients were analyzed, 79 male and 30 female, with a mean age of 37 years. The average time from surgery to questionnaire completion was 62 days. Fractures treated include: frontal sinus=7, isolated orbit=23, zygomaticomaxillary complex=20, isolated nasal bone=15, naso-orbitoethmoid=7, LeFort=20 and mandible=55. The mean satisfaction of the study population for each questionnaire is as follows: Satisfaction with Outcome = 68 ± 23, Psychological Well-Being = 79 ± 24, Social Function = 72 ± 25, and Satisfaction with Medical-Team = 94 ± 13. Twenty-seven patients were classified as having disfiguring injuries. These patients were more satisfied with the medical team (99 ± 3 vs 93 ± 14, p=0.023) however did not differ in satisfaction with respect to outcome (68±28 vs 68 ± 21, p=0.947), psychological-well-being (79±26 vs 79 ± 23, p=0.919), and social function (72±25 vs 72 ± 25, p=0.991). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study using the FACE-Q questionnaire to evaluate trauma patient satisfaction after facial reconstruction. Disfiguring injuries did not correlate with worse patient-reported outcomes which may be indicative of the positive impact that surgical reconstruction had on these patients. The FACE-Q questionnaires can be a valuable tool in assessing patient-reported outcomes in facial reconstruction. Reference Citations: 1. Klassen AF, Cano SJ, Pusic AL. FACE-Q Satisfaction with Appearance Scores from Close to 1000 Facial Aesthetic Patients. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016;137(3):651e-652e. 2. Sinno S. Anzai L., Thorne CH. SJ. Face-Lift Satisfaction Using the FACE-Q. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;136(2):239–242. 3. Schwitzer JA, Sher SR, Fan KL, Scott AM, Gamble L, Baker SB. Assessing Patient-Reported Satisfaction with Appearance and Quality of Life following Rhinoplasty Using the FACE-Q Appraisal Scales. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;135(5):830e-837e.