Abstract
Introduction
Cosmetic lengthening is currently growing, raising Ethical concerns. In cosmetic lengthening, the psychological benefit vs process and risks is not quantified in publications. We designed a prospective longitudinal study for evaluating quantitatively the psychological PROMs of patients with cosmetic lengthening and value its interest.
Materials and Methods
Forty five cosmetic patients were operated on with the G-Nail with full weight-bearing, and sports: M/F 34/11, age 29.3±11.5 year-old, Gain 79 mm (range 86–187). All undertook preoperative preparation, psychological tests, post-operating training (lengthening period, twice daily) and a specific psychological program. No patient presented sequels.
Questionnaires were provided before and 40.0 month after surgery (scale 0–10) with: Psychological suffering, Happiness in Life (HiL), Quality of Live (QoL), Self-Esteem, Self-Image, Self-Confidence, Professional, Family, Friends and Sexual Relations, Sexual Attraction. Average, SD of changes and T-Test (unequal variances) were computed.
Results
Improvements were greater for self-Image (+54%, p 1.21×10−12) raising from an initial value of 5.44 (+/− 1.62) to 8.40 +/− 1.20), Self-esteem, Self-confidence and HiL or over (p between 1.7×10—7and 1.8×10−10), QoL (+22%, p 8.1×10−5), Professional relationships (+20%, p 4.2×10−5), Family relationships (+12%, p 0.003), Friendship (+11%, p 0.002), Sexual Attraction (+24%, p 1.0×10−5), Sexual relationships (+19%, p 0.001) and psychological suffering due to the statue decreased by 53% (p 0.0002).
Conclusions
Within the protocols used, patients improved strongly their Psychological Health, with +44% of their self-image, self-esteem and self-confidence. With a reliable technique and strong programs for supporting recovery both physically and psychologically, cosmetic surgery can benefit strongly to patients.
