Microtia, a congenital deformity where the ear is underdeveloped, is corrected by transplants of the patient’s own tissues. This is an intervention has a large aesthetic element and given this, the success of the procedure depends on how the patient perceives the outcome of surgery.
A study was performed at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), London and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) in Edinburgh to assess patient satisfaction rates and understand how to improve outcomes.
The researchers say the study provides an objective assessment of patient reported experience and outcome that can be used as a means to make targeted quality improvement and to benchmark care nationally.
The majority of patients were very satisfied with their reconstructed ear (83 per cent at GOSH and 85 per cent at RHSC). High patient satisfaction scores were reported for the lobe of ear and size of the ear. Low satisfaction scores were reported for the projection of ear and antitragus, close to the ear’s centre.
The study says, “A retrospective cohort study was performed at GOSH and RHSC, Edinburgh. Two questionnaires were posted to patients with congenital microtia who underwent an autologous ear reconstructive procedure. The first questionnaire, designed by the authors at Great Ormond Street Hospital, measured the patient’s perspectives of ear appearance, the individual aesthetic units and the donor site. The second questionnaire, drawn up by the authors at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, collected demographic information and asked general questions regarding ear surgery, including psychosocial considerations and satisfaction scores of individual aesthetic units.”
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