ABSTRACT

This article is aimed to elaborate the significance of detecting clinical features (subjectivity, objectivity and assessment) of the Dysmorphophobic (DMP) psychiatric patients seeking primary cosmetic rhinoplsty (PCR). DMP clients present as a fixation of their thoughts toward the trivial flaws on their body’s anatomy. They consider such minor defects as major and show a great amount of anxiety for such negligible issues. Such dread affects their social, occupational and family’s life and trigger them to seek means of correcting such small blemishes through medical and or surgical approaches. Considering to their nose, they crave to eliminate their minor defects through PCR operation. PCR is viewed as one of the most prevalent aesthetic operations in the field of cosmetic surgery. Author’s method of approach in PCR is to select candidates after obtaining a meticulous health history, physical exam and appropriate para clinical tests. In some uncertained cases, based on their subjectivity and objectivity presentations, are referred for consultation with a psychiatrist for final assessment. Most selected patients undergo PCR via standby anesthesia through an incision on the nasal columella (open rhinoplasty), or in others which their nasal tip alternation is not needed, PCR is approached with no incision on the nasal columella (closed rhinoplasty). Due to the high demand of PCR in the world, among many clients who are seeking for such surgery, might be some cases with DMP disorder who are overlooked in spite of an accurate surgeon’s screening.

1. Introduction

Desiring to “look younger” is the essential nature of all human beings. People try to appear attractive, impressive and younger in their social life. Success in life, truly has been partially correlated to such values, especially if such qualities link with the business competitions [1].

In most instances, people are willing to undergo some kind of procedures which make them look younger, acceptable and appealing [2]. If such aspirations remain within a normal wish and logic, is fine, but if such inclinations go beyond realities, would create problems rather than benefits [3]. Prospects beyond actualities, create emotional and psychological harm if are not obtained [4]. These emotional and psychological deteriorations not only affect the patients’ own quality of life but also their loved ones as well [5]. Since PCR is considered as one of the common nasal aesthetic procedure, is also one of the common procedures which patients with DMP disorder who are so thoughtful about their trivial nasal defects, are hunting for.

Even in non DMP cases, that the patients’ expectation which is not obtained will cause deterioration of their self esteem and self confidence in post operative periods [6]. These mentioned problems result even more serious snags in patients with the DMP psychiatric disorder [7]. In their initial interview, DMP cases discuss issues which are not accessible and if they undergo PCR by a wrong selection, will remain dissatisfied, no matter how reasonable would be the PCR surgical results [8].

2. DMP Patients and PCR Surgeons

Patients with DMP disorder, show restlessness, anxiety and hopelessness in their first office visit. Most of them have no logic behind their decision and plannings toward PCR operation. Such DMP manifestation may be the sign and symptoms of other more serious underlying psychological ailments such as major depression and or schizophrenia [9]. In rare situations such mentally disturbed individuals may end up into suicidal attempts [10]. Non noticeable remarks and minor complication such as post operative olfactory malfunctioning, may look so severe and crippling [11]. They get so emotionally superficial, laugh easily and burst to cry simply if someone addresses their PCR after surgery. If some other major complications occur, it will be really difficult and mostly impossible to handle in such DMP patients [12].

As cosmetic surgeons become more experienced, they learn many lessons which are not written in the aesthetic surgical texts and or they have not been faced during their cosmetic surgical trainings [13]. As they practice more, they may easily differentiate the DMP patients seeking for PCR, versus those who are possessing a reasonable mental health for choosing PCR. In cases of uncertainty, a clever cosmetic surgeon, asks consultation with a psychiatrist [14]. In rare situations such DMP patients are failed to be detected by the cosmetic surgeons. In this situation, unpleasant office visits begin and inconveniences are created for the DMP patient and the cosmetic surgeon both. Sometimes such aforementioned problems diminish with time, but in some other circumstances nuisance remain long and patients may need more serious psychiatric cares [15].

3. Screening DMP Patients

One of the sign of progress for any PCR surgeon is to screen who is a proper candidate for PCR operation and who is not. Appropriate candidate shows a calm personality along with conversing based on facts. They show understanding and a feel of accepting any side effects that may possibly arise. Usually they have previously seen your similar PCR works and have been oriented all the likely happenings which may happen after surgery. Author considers all of the aforementioned criteria in deciding to choose a patient to undergo PCR. As mentioned earlier, as the time passes and the cosmetic surgeons operate many patients, they learn so many clues which are not written in the texts. As their practice progresses, they may have encountered many psychologically disturbed patients who have been seeking PCR surgery. They may have also missed some others who have had the DMP individuals who have undergone PCR. Some of these cases may show an emotional and psychological reaction in asking the PCR surgeons to accept them for rhinoplasty surgeries [16].

Psychological screening of most DMP patients may be applied easily with no complexity, but in some other cases such selection may remain obscure. In some occasions, patients’ external motivations for PCR are logical, but in some others, inspirations may be idealistic and non accessible [17]. Screening of the patients who seek PCR and have been labelled as possible DMP is highly recommended to be consulted by a psychiatrist for final assessments. This consultation proceeds PCR surgeons to an early detection of DMP patients and be aware of their real reasoning behind their PCR decision [18].

4. Author’s Approach

The author’s approach in selecting of cases for PCR are based on a complete consideration on their past health histories and results of my general and specifically nasal physical exams. I also observe their mode of interactions in clinical setting. I do listen carefully to their words of expectations. Prior to surgery, informed consents are read, understood and signed by the case with a witness. Patients who are exaggerating on my reputation and think they would impress me can convince me to meet their expectations in PCR, are considered as a red flag sign to be chosen. Patients who desire to look like a celebrity’s photo must be reconsidering their selection and most of all, if they complain about very trivial defects and desire to be eliminated perfectly, also is a red flag sign. These matters may show a direct and or an indirect sign of DMP disorder. In these circumstances, I will consider more visiting and or request needy laboratory tests along with referring them for a psychiatric consultation.

In spite of such care taken and being exact in selection for PCR, there are some patients who insisting to undergo such operation by the cosmetic surgeon and I have frequently faced with such clients in my more than two decades of PCR experiences. In such situation, the surgeon may be under the influence of patient’s emotional and psychological reactions of being accepted for PCR [19]. In such situation surgeon may feel under pressure to say “yes” or “no” to such candidates [20]. Patients may even deny any psychiatric disorders and show their reasoning for PCR completely logical [21]. Persistency is a hallmark of more probable diagnosis of DMP in such cases and should be given a second thought for selection for PCR [22]. In such stipulation, I am usually firm in saying “no” and not selecting such candidate for a PCR operation [23].

Selecting such possible DMP patients would create an unpredictable outcome. Their mental disorder would alter an absolutely satisfactory result into a totally dissatisfied outcome. Their mind is occupied in post operatively with thinking the minute imperfections in their nose and continuously asking for correcting such trivial defects [24]. In these conditions, I usually try to revisit such patients more frequent, discussing issues clearly with them and their loved ones and finally asking for the psychiatric assists for possible antipsychotic medical therapies.

As time passes by, I am being so inspective in my clients selection for PCR. I believe, if the initial selection takes place correctly, most patients feel good about the results of their cosmetic nasal surgery and express their satisfactions for the PCR consequence [25].

5. DMP Patient in Pre and Post PCR

Routinely, final decision made after discussing the main issues of the PCR operation with all patients. They should be well informed about the costs, type of anesthesia, hospital stay duration and post surgical cares. A next clinic appointment is set after surgery for checking the patient's condition and their possible dressings change.

DMP individual who has been selected for PCR by mistake, usually shows low interest towards such office’s clinical visits and regulations and usually exhibit disinterest in keeping their appointments [26,27]. They bringup new issues about their nose and express their dissatisfactions for the PCR results [28].They usually exhibit low collaboration and poor communication with their cosmetic surgeon [28]. In most situations, they show rigidity and express pessimistic views in their office visits [1].They also seek other cosmetic surgeons for their possible nasal re operation [29]. They may have a great tendency for undergoing a second, third and even more nasal re-operations by other cosmetic surgeons [30].

6. Final Words

Precise evaluations in patients who refer for the PCR, by complete observing their clinical visits and accurately listening to their words of expectations in relation to their nasal anatomy defect, cosmetic surgeons most likely can note the unsure character of clients with DMP psychotic disorder. Final planning for such operations is relied upon a psychiatric consultation which clears most obscures and enables cosmetic surgeons to select the right patients for PCR operations.

REFERENCES

NOTES

^*This review article is prepared with no conflict of interest.