The Outcome of the Single Step Questionnaire in Pectus Excavatum Patients is Phase Dependent

Abstract

Introduction Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common chest wall deformity. Patients with PE may have cosmetic complaints, restricted physical capabilities, or both and may seek surgical correction. One method to assess satisfaction after surgery is the single step questionnaire (SSQ). Although the developers state that the SSQ produces a stabile score and only needs to be used once, we hypothesized that the score may depend on point in time after surgery. Materials and Methods One hundred and eight patients from a longitudinal cohort of patients undergoing a Nuss bar placement for PE were selected. Mean age was 16.0 years (range: 12–29). SSQ was completed at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. Mean and median scores per question and total scores were calculated on each measurement moment. Overall scores were tested using the Friedman test. Results There were significant differences in overall SSQ scores (p < 0.009) throughout the postoperative period, especially between 6 weeks and 6 months (p = 0.006). Scores on general health, exercise capacity, impact on social life, pain during hospital stay, and after discharge changed also significant in the first 2 years after Nuss bar placement. Conclusion There were significant differences in total SSQ score depending on the time of application postoperatively. However, the most clinical relevant difference was between 6 weeks and 6 months. Assessment of the overall satisfaction postoperative with the SSQ questionnaire should not be done with a single measurement but rather at different postoperative time intervals before and after 6 months postoperatively.

Long-Term Recurrence Rates and Patient Satisfaction after Repair of Pectus Excavatum

“…Other patients reported that they wouldn't consider going through another procedure again due to pain. It has been reported that pain is a significant post-operative factor influencing satisfaction [13]. In our study, most patients that reported dissatisfaction complained of postoperative pain and all had surgery before 2017, the year our institution started using intra-operative cryoablation.…”

“…It consisted of 15 questions assessing general health, exercise capacity, chest appearance, self-esteem, pain, and satisfaction after the operation. A score of more than 41 is considered satisfactory [13]. One study documented satisfaction at different post-operative times and noticed a significant difference in the scores depending on the time the survey was answered after surgery showing an increase in patient satisfaction over time [13].…”

“…13 One study documented satisfaction at different postoperative times and noticed a significant difference in the scores depending on the time the survey was answered after surgery showing an increase in patient satisfaction over time. 13 We did not use this previously designed survey due to its length and studies showing that response rates are influenced by the length of the survey, with a decrease in the odds of response with each supplemental item. 14 Additionally, it has been shown that the longer the length of the survey, the less cooperation with and completion of the survey is to be expected.…”

Analysis of Psychological Assessments Affecting Patients Undergoing Treatment for Chest Wall Deformities

“…The results were similar for any of the procedures involved (Nuss/MARPE and Ravitch) and were more prominent in the interval 6 weeks to 6 months after surgery. 19…”

Feasibility and Safety of Subcutaneous Sternal Suspension in The Treatment of Pectus Excavatum

“…Pre-school repair can avoid intramural sports limitations and possible discrimination as removing the plate before school starts. So, tting into the group and having a "normal look" seems to be important in adolescence, where peer pressure is high [30].…”