Plastic and reconstructive surgery
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Jul 2012
ReviewMeasuring quality of life and patient satisfaction in facial paralysis patients: a systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures.
Incomplete recovery from facial nerve damage has functional deficits and significant social and psychological consequences. To evaluate the success of surgical and nonsurgical interventions in facial paralysis patients, patient satisfaction and impact on quality of life should be considered. The objective of this study is to identify existing patient-reported outcome instruments that measure quality-of-life outcomes in the facial paralysis population. ⋯ Although instruments are available for measuring outcomes with respect to facial function, there are few instruments developed to specifically evaluate the impact of facial paralysis on quality of life. To quantify treatment outcomes of facial paralysis patients, future research to develop and validate a new patient-reported outcome instrument is needed.