CHANGES IN ANXIETY LEVEL OF FEMALES WITH FACIAL LESIONS BEFORE AND AFTER PLASTIC SURGERY

Introduction: Anxiety is very common among our folks. Facial lesions, congenital as well as acquired, result in marked anxiety related to decreased self esteem and confidence particularly in females.  These lesions can be addressed by plastic surgery techniques which ultimately cause significant improvement in anxiety level. The aim of the study is to find out changes in anxiety level of females with facial lesions before and after plastic surgery. Methodology: A prospective study conducted in Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan on 102 female patients having lesions on central face. Lesions were operated by plastic surgery techniques. Hamilton anxiety rating scale was applied to rate anxiety level preoperatively as well as 2 months post operatively. Patients’ satisfaction and scar quality was assessed. Data was analyzed by using SPSS. Results: A total of 102 females were included in the study of which 58 (56.86%) were having educational status above matriculation 14 (13.72%) patients from rural background, 56 (54.9%) patients were below 25 years of age and 46 (45.1%) were above 25 years of age. Forty (39.21%) patients were married while 62 (60.78%) were unmarried or single. Twenty four (23.53%) patients were having post traumatic scarring, 24 (23.53%) were with congenital lesions like CMN while 54 (52.94%) were with lipomata or dermal or inclusion cysts on face. Most of the patients (23.5%) were having lesion on medial part of cheeks. Anxiety scoring noted preoperatively was 22.76±5.846. Vancouver grading of postoperative scars was 4.56±1.798. Patients’ satisfactory level was 1-10 on visual analogue scale. A very high percentage (96%) of patients was having marked improvement in their anxiety scores after surgery. Conclusion: Lesions of face, congenital as well as acquired, can add to the baseline anxiety in females irrespective of their age, educational and socioeconomic status. Once we address these facial issues permanently, through surgical methods, the anxiety level is reduced significantly. Keywords: Anxiety, Hamilton Score, Facial lesion, Vancouver grading, Plastic Surgery