The predictive validity of psychosocial factors for patients' acceptance of rhinoplasty.

Adaptation to rhinoplasty one year postoperatively was studied in 56 patients and the results compared with their preoperative psychosocial profiles. Of the patients, 21 (37%) reported unfavorable experiences with the operation, such as dissatisfaction with the results and/or increased nervous symptoms. Patients dissatisfied with the operational result were more often men who had experienced a nose trauma as an adult. A high consumption of alcohol, poorly established social relations, and an outgoing sthenic attitude were other characteristics. Patients reacting with increased mental symptoms after the operation had expected the operation to result in a substantial change in their general life situation. Their sensitivity regarding the shape of their noses was, in some cases, of a delusional severity. The remaining 35 patients (63%) adapted fairly well to the operation. By a system of different weights given to interview items, it was possible to demonstrate a significant predictive validity of the preoperative psychosocial evaluation with regard to postoperative adaptation. Application of this evaluation technique therefore should increase the possibility of reliably predicting the outcome. Operations on patients not suited to rhinoplasty might be avoided with the application of such a technique.