Psychosocial effects of otoplasty in adult patients: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study investigated changes in psychosocial status following otoplasty. METHODS: All patients who participated in the study filled a sociodemographic form that included age, gender, educational status and job preoperatively. Body Image Scale (BIS), Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (RSES) were completed prior to surgery and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients completed psychometric measures of body image, social appearance anxiety, and self-esteem. Of the patients (6 males, 14 females) whose charts were reviewed, the mean age was 24.05 ± 8.25 years (median 22 years: range 18-49) years. Six months post operatively BIS total scores were increased significantly relative to that of the baseline values (p = 0.005).SAAS scores were decreased significantly relative to that of the baseline values (p = 0.003). Although the postoperative RSES score tended to improve, it was not significantly different from the baseline value. The RSES scores showed significantly strong correlation with the SAAS scores (p < 0.001) and moderate correlation with the BIS scores at baseline (p = 0.013). None of the patients admitted for surgery had low self-esteem at baseline, with all patients categorized as having either moderate (n = 10, 50%) or high (n = 10, 50%) self-esteem. Following surgery, only one patient improved from moderate to high self-esteem. The baseline and postoperative BIS, SAAS, and RSES scores did not significantly differ between women and men. None of the other sociodemographic characteristics showed significant relationships with the three scales. CONCLUSIONS: Otoplasty can provide significant positive psychosocial benefits, even in an adult population. Therefore, this type of surgery should be offered to any patient seeking a solution to prominent ear-related psychosocial problems regardless of age.

The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in patients with burn injuries, and their quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients with burn injuries undergoing physical therapy, and to evaluate their quality of life. METHODS: A total of 21 patients who underwent physical therapy for burn injuries between October 2012 and December 2012, in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic of a Training and Research Hospital, were included in the study. The sociodemographic form for data collection, the Clinician- Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) for the diagnosis of PTSD, and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey for the assessment of the quality of life, were used. RESULTS: Eight patients (38.1%) had PTSD. These patients had poor physical functioning, and indicated a lower rate of role functioning-physical, vitality, and role functioning-social, compared to those without PTSD. However, it did not reach statistical significance. The physical functioning related to the quality of life was statistically significantly lower in the patients with contracture. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD seems to be an important health issue in patients with burn injuries. Clinicians who attempt to tailor treatment interventions should keep in mind that these patients require psychosocial rehabilitation, as well as physical therapy.