Patient-reported outcome measures in facial plastic surgery: a narrative literature review

Abstract

Facial plastic surgery has shifted towards evidence-based medicine, incorporating the eva- luation of outcomes from the patient’s perspective. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have become key tools to quantify satisfaction, quality of life, and other subjective pre- and postoperative aspects. This study aims to identify PROMs specific to aesthetic fa­cial surgical procedures and promote their informed use. A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed and Scielo databases. The search included articles addressing the use of PROMs in various facial surgical techniques, such as rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, facelift, and otoplasty. A detailed psychometric analysis of each instrument was carried out, as well as an assessment of its applicability in different clinical settings. Various PROMs specific to each type of facial surgery were identified, all with adequate levels of reliability and validity. Most instruments demonstrated a significant capacity to detect postoperative satisfaction changes. However, some tools showed limitations regarding their transcultural applicability, restricting their use in populations outside the original validation context. PROMs convert the patient’s subjective experience into an objective measure. Their vali- dation and transcultural adaptation in Chile are essential to improving care and clinical decision-making in our practice.