Development of a new patient-reported outcome measure for rhinoplasty surgery: the Nose-QoL [Medicion de los resultados esteticos y funcionales desde la perspectiva del paciente en rinoplastia: creacion del instrumento Nose-QoL]

Background: Instruments that assess the results of plastic surgery from patient s perspective allow a multidimensional evaluation of surgical results. Aim: To develop a new instrument to assess the functional and esthetic results of rhinoplasty from the point of view of the patient. Material and Methods: A conceptual framework about important results for nasal image was developed using information from in depth interviews to patients, focal groups with experts and interviews to esthetic surgeons and patients subjected to rhinoplasty. Results: Four patients and four plastic surgeons were interviewed. The three sub scales identified for the conceptual framework were quality of life, postoperative disability and pain and surgeon s objective evaluation scale. Five domains for quality of life were identified including nose size and form, self-image and esteem, third party perceptions and social relationships, nasal function and segmental nasal analysis. Conclusions: After completion of the psychometric assessment, the Nose-QoL instrument will become a valuable instrument to measure the impact and effectiveness of rhinoplasty from the patient s perspective.