Pre- and postoperative evaluation of the effect of reconstructive surgery on patient quality of life and self-esteem: a prospective study of 52 patients
Avaliação pré e pós-operatória do efeito da cirurgia reparadora na qualidade de vida e da autoestima do paciente: um estudo prospectivo envolvendo 52 pacientes

INTRODUCTION

In addition to having a significant impact on morbidity, benign and malignant skin lesions can decrease productivity, cause social exclusion, and affect an individual’s quality of life (QoL)^1,2. Among skin lesions, skin cancer has shown an increasing incidence in the past three decades, with it being the most frequently observed neoplasm and affecting approximately 0.06% of the population in 2015³.

The most common sites of skin neoplasms are the head and neck regions, accounting for up to 80% of non-melanoma skin cancer cases⁴. The consequences of treatment, especially in this region, may include physical and psychological disorders^5,6 because sequelae and scars resulting from surgical treatment can cause different types of facial deformities and physical changes⁷.

The burn sequela is another type of skin injury that triggers serious physical, psychological, and financial problems for patient, families, and society⁸. Even when the causes of psychological discomfort are minor deformities or minor aesthetic failures, they may cause inferiority feeling or emotional conflict^9,10.

These patients are often referenced for surgery services in order to correct anatomical and functional defects. In this condition, the concept of healing should not only be based on biological recovery, but should also include well-being, psychic survival, self-esteem and QoL^11,12.

According to the World Health Organization, “quality of life is the perception of the individual, of his position in life, in the context of the culture and value system in which he lives and in relation to his goals, expectations, standards, and interests”⁹, which is related to health promotion and disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation to improve patients’ well-being^10-12. Self-esteem, in turn, consists of the positive feelings of the individual about oneself. This is subjective because it determines how the individual thinks and behaves, and their measures are based on individual and social experiences¹³.

Several studies have evaluated the impact of cosmetic surgery on QoL or self-esteem after procedures such as blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, and rhytidectomy^13-15, and further studies may examine the impact of restorative surgery on patients described here.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the effect of reconstructive plastic surgery on QoL and self-esteem in patients with benign or malignant skin lesions who were referred to the Plastic Surgery Service of a university hospital in the South of Brazil for surgical procedures.

METHODS

This non-randomized, open-label clinical trial examined patients with indications for repair surgery and evaluated the changes in QoL and self-esteem between the pre- and postoperative periods.

Patients aged ≥18 years with benign or malignant skin lesions classified by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10 with or without deeper planes and indications for surgical repair procedures were included in the study. These patients were referred from other services to the outpatient surgery clinic. The exclusion criterion was the lack of intellectual capacity to respond to the questionnaire.

The patients underwent procedures in the surgical center in the presence of a team consisting of the surgeon, surgical assistant, medical resident or medical student, and anesthesiologist. After the procedure, patients were contacted by telephone to remind them to return for follow-up appointments to reduce the risk of losses. The indication for the surgical procedure was identified by two surgeons independently; in cases of disagreement, the decision was made by consensus. To diagnose the patients’ lesions, clinical examinations, transoperatory examinations, and histopathological studies were used.

The outcomes of the study were patient QoL and self-esteem. For the QoL evaluation, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was used. The SF-36 is easy to use, validated in Brazil, and frequently used to assess this topic^16,17.

The SF-36 is a multidimensional questionnaire consisting of 36 items grouped into 8 components or domains: functional capacity, limitation by physical aspects, pain, general health, vitality, social aspects, limitation by emotional aspects, and mental health. The domains are calculated according to formulas already established by the questionnaire itself, and the results are transformed into a scale of 0-100, where zero is considered the worst state and 100 is the best^18,19.

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RAS), a quick and easy-to-use research instrument²⁰, was used to assess patient self-esteem. In the present study, the Brazilian version of the EAR was used, as it has been validated and adapted to the needs and characteristics of the country’s population²⁰.

The EAR is a 10-item questionnaire with contents related to the feelings of respect and acceptance of the individual in relation to oneself, and each question is answered on a scale of totally agree, agree, disagree, and totally disagree (4, 3, 2, and 1 point(s), respectively). The higher the score, the higher the self-esteem level²¹.

QoL and self-esteem were assessed, and patients’ baseline characteristics were recorded at the preoperative visit. The surgical procedure was performed a mean 4 weeks later, at which time information was collected about the technique used and the lesion’s characteristics. At the postoperative visit a mean 8 weeks after the first visit, the QoL and self-esteem questionnaire were applied for the second time and data on the lesion’s histopathological diagnosis were collected.

The sample was calculated using the expected difference between the different domains of the QoL questionnaire and the differences in the self-esteem scores. The estimated values ​​were obtained from an earlier study²². A 95% confidence level and 95% statistical power were used in all calculations. For each of the QoL domains, the required sample size calculation was performed considering the mean and standard deviation (SD) in the preoperative and postoperative periods.

The mental health domain required a larger sample size. Pre- and postoperative scores for this domain were 55 (DP 8) and 65 (DP 13), respectively. The calculated sample size was 52 patients, considering 10% for losses and 50% for confounding factors. Calculation of the sample for RAS considered a mean and DP before and after 20 (DP 5) and 28 (DP 6), respectively. The n necessary for this outcome was 26 individuals. Thus, the sample size required for the two outcomes was 52 patients.

The independent variables studied included:

A database was built in the Epidata 3.1 program. The data were typed in duplicate by two independent typists. Subsequently, the bank was cleaned by the identification of errors of amplitude or consistency. For the data analysis, the bank was translated into a statistical program (Stata 13.1). A descriptive analysis was performed of the studied sample.

SF-36 scores by domain and RAS scores were calculated for the first and second queries. The difference in scores was statistically analyzed using Student’s t-test for paired samples. Subsequently, the differences in the proportion of individuals in whom their self-esteem and QoL scores in each category were improved were analyzed using the chi-square test. In all analyses, a p value of <0.05 was used for a two-tailed test.

The project followed the guidelines of Resolution No. 466 (December 12, 2012) and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee in the Health Area of the Federal University of Rio Grande. All patients signed an informed consent form to confirm that they were willing to voluntarily participate in the study.

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients were selected for and participated in the study; there were no losses. The mean time between the first and second application of the questionnaire was 63.08 days (SD, 2.51; minimum, 58; maximum, 67). The data collection period was from June to October 2016.

The mean patient age was 51.69 (SD, 24.12; range, 19-90) years, with the highest number of patients being aged ≥60 years, female, white, unmarried, and literate with a low education level (40% with less than 3 years of study). The first and last quartiles of monthly income were 458 and 1,300 reals, respectively. Four of the 10 patients were employed.

The mean skin lesion size was 6.8 cm²; 46.15% of lesions were malignant neoplasms, whereas 53.85% of lesions were benign. They were characterized as trauma or burns, pathological or unsightly scars, or benign neoplasms. Among the neoplasia types, 75% were basal cell carcinoma, 20.83% were squamous cell carcinoma, and 4.17% were melanoma. In 69.23% of the patients, defect closure techniques included the use of surgical flaps or skin grafting. Most lesions were found on the face or scalp (67.31%) (Table 1).

Table 1 - Characteristics of patients who underwent reconstructive plastic surgery at a university hospital in South Brazil, Rio Grande, RS, 2016 (n = 52).

As for SF-36 results (Table 2), the initial scores of the domains were mostly >70 points, and social aspect was the domain with the best score. After the surgical intervention, significant improvement was noted in the QoL life score for emotional aspects, limitation for physical aspects, social aspects, pain, general health, and mental health. The greatest increase was observed in the emotional aspects domain, followed by physical aspects and social aspects. The differences between the scores and the means are shown in Table 2.

Table 2 - Quality of life and self-esteem scores before and after reconstructive plastic surgery in Rio Grande, RS, Brazil, 2016 (n = 52).

In terms of RAS (Table 2), there was a significant difference of 6.79 points between the post- and preoperative periods.

The proportions of individuals with increased QoL and self-esteem after surgery differed among categories (Table 3). A higher education level significantly affected the physical, social, and emotional aspects. The proportion of patients aged ≥ 60 years for whom QoL increased was significantly higher than that that of subjects aged < 60 years in the emotional aspects domain.

Table 3 - Proportion of patients in whom QoL and self-esteem scores increased after reconstructive plastic surgery according to sociodemographic variables, neoplasm type, and stress event in Rio Grande, RS, Brazil, 2016 (n = 52).

In the mental health field, a significantly higher proportion of white patients than black or yellow patients displayed an increased QoL. A significantly higher proportion of patients with malignant neoplasms than those with benign neoplasms presented an improved QoL in the pain domain.

A higher proportion of patients who had at least one stressful event than those who did not have a stressful event demonstrated statistically significant improvement in the mental health domain. There was no significant difference in self-esteem, and the proportions of increases in all categories were >86%.

DISCUSSION

The present study found a statistically significant difference in patients’ QoL and self-esteem after reconstructive surgery.

With regard to QoL, improvement was seen in all domains, particularly in emotional aspects (improvement of 23.72), limitations in physical aspects (improvement of 17.29 points), and social aspects (improvement of 15.11 points), as well as changes in areas such as mental health (improvement of 5.85 points). Some studies have analyzed the effect of restorative surgery on QoL, and most studies show a significant association affecting several domains.

The change in the emotional aspect domain could be justified mainly by the psychic effect caused by the surgical correction of localized lesions, especially in areas of exposure, such as the face, that cause constant concern, especially neoplasias, which generate fear, anxiety, and distress⁶.

This result is consistent with those of other studies that have evaluated this aspect. An article on the effect of QoL in repairing surgery performed specifically to correct venous ulcers through skin grafting also observed a positive impact on QoL similar to that obtained here, with improvement seen especially in the domains related to limitation by physical and emotional aspects²².

Another study comparing QoL between patients who did or did not undergo breast reconstruction after mastectomy observed that women who did not undergo breast reconstruction had greater emotional fragility and more greatly affected emotional domain of QoL²⁴. Another study detailing the effect of reductive mammoplasty on QoL identified that the surgical correction of breast hypertrophy improved QoL and the emotional aspect²⁵.

Finally, a subsequent German study of 72 patients with non-melanoma skin cancer who completed a QoL questionnaire found a moderate-to-strong impact on QoL, emotional aspects, functional capacity, and disease-related symptoms after surgery²⁶.

The increase in the physical aspect domain observed in our study could be explained by an improvement in function and impact on the psychological aspect of the patient, repercussion with improved disposition, decreased fatigue, and fatigue altering rest and sleep, leading to an improved capacity to perform personal and professional activities²⁷.

The improvement observed in the present study in terms of social aspects could also be justified by the physical improvement, appearance, and psychic questions of the individual, especially considering that he feels accepted by his group in social activities, the professional environment, and relationships with family and friends²⁸.

We identified an important improvement in the mental health domain, demonstrating the role of reconstruction. These data are consistent with those of another study of patients with head and neck neoplasia in which the impact on QoL was assessed after surgical treatment and where postoperative improvement was observed, especially in the mental health domain²⁹.

The important increase observed in the RAS scores after the interventions (6.79 points) demonstrates the relevant role of restorative surgery in the recovery function of the individual’s self-esteem. The psychological impact due to improved function, as in the case of correction of cicatricial retractions caused by burns or the treatment of skin cancer, is also capable of improving self-esteem, i.e., this is not an exclusive benefit of cosmetic surgery²².

Other articles refer to the positive impact of purely esthetic plastic surgery on self-esteem and present results similar to those observed in the present study^13-15,30,31. A study to evaluate the effect of surgery for body contouring, including abdominoplasty and liposuction, demonstrated an important response in self-esteem with patients reporting feeling happier after surgery³⁰.

These patients undergoing cosmetic surgery have different psychological characteristics and perceptions of their own body than those who underwent restorative surgery, with higher stress levels in relation to appearance and different motivations for seeking treatment. Cases with a subjective indication of surgical intervention³².

The outlook for the future and type of recovery the individual may be subjected to may influence the patient’s expectations of their disease and treatment³³. Although cosmetic surgery has a more specific objective of treating complaints of psychological origin and focuses on self-esteem, the restorative process has no such expectation regarding the aesthetic result; rather, it aims to improve function and treat the disease. This different psychological characteristic inherent to the patient’s profile can generate the important QoL self-esteem scores in cases of repair component surgery³⁴.

Regarding the association between factors studied and QoL and self-esteem before and after the intervention, among the patients with increased scores after treatment, a significantly higher proportion of score increases was found in patients aged ≥ 60 years, who were white, with a higher education level, who suffered a stressful event, and who had malignant neoplasms.

The best QoL in older individuals was reported by Engel et al.³⁵; in a study of 990 patients, the younger the patient, the greater their concern about their health, financial situation, and future, negatively reflecting QoL. In another study, the QoL of women with breast cancer was evaluated for a period of 6 years after diagnosis, with 577 women aged between 30 and 61.6 years being interviewed. In older patients, QoL was higher in terms of social and emotional aspects³⁶, these results agree with those of the present study. However, in the physical aspects, younger women had better QOL results, which could be associated with a lower occurrence of comorbidities in this group.

We observed no sex-based differences in QoL or self-esteem improvement. Another study that analyzed the impact of cosmetic surgery on QoL and self-esteem found that women had a greater impact on QoL and self-esteem¹⁵. In another study conducted in patients with cutaneous melanoma, sex was not associated with changes in QoL score³⁷. These differences between studies may be due to methodological differences, particularly a lack of statistical power.

A greater proportion of individuals with higher education levels displayed improvements in QoL in the physical, social, and emotional aspects. This finding can be explained by the fact that a higher education level is more closely associated with better job opportunities, salaries, and treatment adherence, leading to improved QoL³⁸. Other studies evaluated patients who underwent surgery for skin cancer and found no differences in QoL related to sociodemographic factors.^26,29

The presence of a malignant lesion was significantly associated with improvement in QoL in the pain domain after the surgical intervention. This may be explained by the greater susceptibility to pain perception among neoplastic patients³⁹, which would change with surgical intervention. It is known that cancer pain intensity varies and worsens according to tumor location and neoplasia stage⁴⁰.

Although the lesions found in our study patients were in the early stages, pain is subjective and each individual develops the symptom from their traumatic experiences and their perception influenced by various components, such as physical incapacity, social and family isolation, financial difficulties, and especially the fear of mutilation and death in cases of neoplasia⁴¹.

Stressful events affect QoL^23,42-44; in the present study, this was also observed in the mental health field. The fact that individuals with a stressful event present greater gain in this domain than individuals without the stressful event may be due to the fact that the correction of the health problem in this group would generate greater comfort and compensation. The absence of a control group not subjected to the intervention was this study’s primary limitation.

However, its open non-randomized before-after design was the most adequate considering the difficulty obtaining a control group in the evaluation of surgical procedures. Another limitation was the lack of statistical power for some differences in the proportions of patients with QoL improvements. Studies with this design type and larger samples are required to adequately analyze some associations that were not significant.

CONCLUSION

Restorative surgery improves patients’ QoL and self-esteem; in particular, it improves emotional, physical, and social aspects. This change facilitates the rehabilitation, and the improvement in patients’ well-being contributes to their reintegration into family and society. Certain factors may contribute to the effect of surgery on QoL, particularly sociodemographic aspects. The practice of determining QoL and self-esteem in patients who will undergo repair surgery can serve as an evaluation tool as part of a more integrated approach to managing surgical patients.