Our Summary

The paper is a study of patient satisfaction after they’ve undergone a particular type of ear surgery, using a combination of two techniques known as Mustardé and Furnas. The researchers wanted to see if there was a link between how successful the surgery was (measured by a set of goals known as the McDowell/Wright criteria) and how satisfied the patients were.

They looked back at the records of patients who had this surgery between 1996 and 2016, and checked how they were doing a year after the operation. They found that most patients had met all of the surgery’s success goals and were very satisfied with the results. A smaller number of patients met most but not all of the goals, but were still very satisfied. Even those who only met some of the goals were still quite satisfied.

The statistics showed that there was a significant link between the number of success goals met and patient satisfaction, but this link was not very strong. This suggests that patients tend to be satisfied with the results of the surgery, even when doctors might not consider the surgery to have been completely successful.

FAQs

  1. What are the Mustardé and Furnas techniques used in this ear surgery?
  2. How is the success of the ear surgery measured?
  3. Does a successful surgery, as per the McDowell/Wright criteria, guarantee patient satisfaction?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might give a patient about otoplasty is to have realistic expectations about the outcome of the surgery. While most patients are satisfied with the results, it’s important to understand that not every goal may be met and that perfection may not be achievable. It’s also important to follow post-operative care instructions carefully to ensure optimal healing and results.

Suitable For

Typically, patients who are recommended for otoplasty are those who have protruding or asymmetrical ears that they are unhappy with. This can be a source of insecurity or embarrassment for some individuals, leading them to seek surgical correction. Otoplasty can also be recommended for patients who have congenital ear deformities or have experienced trauma to the ear that has resulted in an abnormal shape.

Additionally, otoplasty may be recommended for patients who have undergone a previous ear surgery that was not successful or did not achieve the desired results. Overall, otoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that is typically recommended for patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their ears and are seeking a permanent solution to improve their self-confidence and overall satisfaction with their appearance.

Timeline

Before otoplasty:

  1. Consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss goals and expectations
  2. Pre-operative assessment and planning for the surgery
  3. Surgery day, where the patient undergoes the otoplasty procedure
  4. Post-operative care and monitoring to ensure proper healing

After otoplasty:

  1. Initial recovery period, including wearing a headband or bandages to support the ears
  2. Follow-up appointments with the surgeon to monitor healing progress
  3. Gradual return to normal activities, avoiding activities that could put strain on the ears
  4. Final assessment of the results of the surgery
  5. Patient satisfaction survey conducted to evaluate the success of the surgery and the patient’s overall satisfaction.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with otoplasty surgery?
  2. How long is the recovery period and what can I expect during the healing process?
  3. Can you show me before and after photos of patients who have undergone otoplasty with similar goals to mine?
  4. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery?
  5. How much experience do you have performing otoplasty procedures?
  6. What are the realistic expectations I should have for the outcome of the surgery?
  7. Will I need to wear any special garments or bandages after the surgery?
  8. How soon after the surgery can I resume normal activities, such as exercise or work?
  9. What follow-up appointments will be necessary after the surgery?
  10. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that may be more suitable for my specific case?

Reference

Authors: García-Purriños F, Raposo A, Guilllén A, Calero J, Giribet A, Barrios A. Journal: Aesthet Surg J. 2019 Sep 13;39(10):NP411-NP415. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjz167. PMID: 31169296