Physical and Psychological Impact of Scar Cosmesis After Cervical Spine Fusion Surgery.
Publication/Presentation Date
9-1-2024
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Patients' and surgeons' perceptions of cutaneous scarring can vary, causing unpleasant physical and psychological outcomes. This study aims to bridge the current scientific literature gap and understand the impact of patient-perceived scar cosmesis after anterior and posterior cervical spine surgery.
METHODS: Retrospective review of patients ≥18 years old who underwent anterior or posterior cervical spine surgery from 2017 to 2022 at a large, urban academic group. To select patients with adequate time for surgical scar maturation, only patients who were greater than 6 months postsurgery were included. The Scar Questionaire Survey (SCAR-Q) survey, a surgical scar assessment tool, was administered to patients to assess patient perceptions of scar symptomatology, appearance, and psychosocial impact. Scores range from 0 to 100, with 100 as the best outcome. An additional 5-item Likert scale question was administered to assess overall surgical satisfaction.
RESULTS: All 854 respondents who completed the survey were stratified into 2 groups "Unsatisfied vs. Satisfied." Patients who were "unsatisfied" with their surgery had the lowest outcome scores for SCAR-Q appearance, symptom, and psychosocial scores than those who were "Satisfied" (P < 0.001). Females had significantly "higher/more favorable" responses for SCAR-Q Appearance (77.5 vs. 82.8 P < 0.001) and Psychosocial (87.4 vs. 94.3 P < 0.001) scores compared to males. Regression analysis performed for each component score showed that increases in all 3 component scores were significant in patients in the satisfied group.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that cervical spine surgery patients unsatisfied with their surgical outcome have lower scar-related scores, highlighting the impact of cosmetic closure and appearance.
Volume
189
First Page
1077
Last Page
1077
ISSN
1878-8769
Published In/Presented At
Meade, M. H., Narayanan, R., Buchan, L., Bridges, T., Opara, O. A., Brush, P. L., Lee, Y., Glover, A., Takagi-Stewart, J., Ducaji, E., Kurd, M. F., Canseco, J. A., Hilibrand, A. S., Vaccaro, A. R., Schroeder, G. D., & Kepler, C. K. (2024). Physical and Psychological Impact of Scar Cosmesis After Cervical Spine Fusion Surgery. World neurosurgery, 189, e1077–e1082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2024.07.085
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
39032633
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article