Validation of a family-centred outcome questionnaire for pinnaplasty: a cross-sectional pilot study

Abstract

Objectives: Comparison of pinnaplasty techniques is difficult due to variation in the reporting of outcomes. We aimed to develop a family-centred outcome questionnaire for use after pinnaplasty and assess it for reliability and validity.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Tertiary referral paediatric otolaryngology centre.

Participants: 20 prospective and 71 retrospective pinnaplasty patients and their parent(s).

Methods: The Post-Operative Pinnaplasty Questionnaire (POPQ) was developed after semi-structured interview with families of children undergoing pinnaplasty. Children aged 4-16 were recruited. Three different ear measurements (auriculocephalic angle, helix-mastoid distance and Walker's ratio) were performed pre-operatively. Children were reviewed 3 months post-operatively and asked to complete a POPQ and Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory with their parent(s). Ear measurements were repeated and data collected on surgical technique and complications. 200 retrospective pinnaplasty patients were posted a POPQ and Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory and data collected on surgical technique, complication rate and Walker's angle.

Main outcomes measures: Validity and reliability of the POPQ.

Results: Age range was 4-16 (median 12). POPQ correlated well with Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory (Spearman's rho = 0.776, P < 0.001). There was no correlation of POPQ scores with age, sex, complication or surgical technique. POPQ score was not associated with severe prominence pre-op nor change or degree of prominence post-op. POPQ displayed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.850) and ease-of-use scores.

Conclusions: We have developed a family-focused outcome tool for pinnaplasty that displays good face validity, internal consistency and correlation with health-related quality of life and that is simple and easy to use. No correlation was seen with more traditional measures of outcome such as complications or ear measurements. Further refinement and testing of validity and reliability on a larger sample is planned.