The effect of septorhinoplasty on quality of life and nasal function in Asians.

This is the first study that aimed to assess the effects of septorhinoplasty on quality of life (QOL) in an Asian population. The study consisted of 2 parts. First, the Derriford Appearance Scale 59 (DAS-59) was translated into Korean, and the reliability and validity were assessed by administering the Korean version of Derriford Appearance Scale 59 (DAS-59K) and 36-item short-form health survey to 88 inpatients scheduled for operations. Then, a prospective study was conducted which included 31 patients who underwent primary septorhinoplasty from October 2008 through May 2009. The changes in QOL and nasal symptoms were evaluated by comparing the preoperative and postoperative 3 month DAS-59K and nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scales. Principal component analysis of the DAS-59K showed an optimum 5-factor and the Cronbach α for each factor was greater than 0.7. Significant correlation was found between the DAS-59K and 36-item short-form health survey. Objective evaluation showed at least an improvement in every patient. After septorhinoplasty, there was improvement at scores related to general self-consciousness, negative self-concept, and physical stress (P < 0.05). The pattern of improvement differed by sex, age, and the presence of external nose deviation. Mean nasal obstruction symptom evaluation scores decreased significantly after surgery. The DAS-59K is a reliable and valid test, which can be a useful tool to assess individual response to living with problems of appearance. Septorhinoplasty improves both QOL and nasal function which should be taken into consideration in future counseling of individual patients expecting septorhinoplasty.