Assessment of patient benefit from septo-rhinoplasty with the use of Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) and Nasal Symptom Questionnaire (NSQ).

Abstract

Septorhinoplasty is the most difficult and complicated procedure in facial plastic surgery. Because of the complex interdependency of the anatomical parts, alteration of one may have an impact on another. Form and function are completely interwoven in septorhinoplasty. The selection of appropriate candidates involves an understanding of their expectations. Outcome research is a new concept in clinical medicine and its importance is increasingly recognized for the patient management and policy decisions. This study includes an analysis of patients' subjective opinion of the surgical outcome after septo-rhinoplasty, with the use of Glasgow Benefit Inventory (postoperatively) and the Nasal Symptom Questionnaire (pre- and postoperatively). In this study we analyze the patient subjective rating of benefit in 41 consecutive patients who underwent septo-rhinoplasty within the first 8 months of 2001, and had completed a follow up period of more than 6 months postoperatively. The early complication rate was recorded and analyzed along with data regarding the patient satisfaction rate using GBI and NSQ. The response rate was 80%, which is high. Patients had significant improvement in all subscales of GBI (General, Social, Physical) related with a decreased number of nasal symptoms postoperatively and a good aesthetic result.