Comparison of satisfaction after direct browplasty in Asian patients with and without brow tattoo

Objective: To determine patient-based scar assessment after direct browplasty for correction of brow ptosis between Asian female patients with and without brow tattoos. Design: A retrospective study with questionnaire via telephone interview. Participants: A total of 30 female Asian patients underwent direct browplasty from January 2008 to December 2011. Methods: The Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ) with 5 subscales including appearance, symptoms, consciousness, satisfaction with appearance, and satisfaction with symptoms was used at least 6 months after surgery in patients who underwent direct browplasty. PSAQ scores were compared between Group A (15 cases with brow tattoo lines) and Group B (15 cases without brow tattoo). A lower score indicates a favourable cosmetic outcome. Results: Of the subscales of PSAQ, only "satisfaction with appearance" was significantly lower in Group A (1.4 ± 0.5) than in Group B (2.0 ± 1.0; p= 0.039). Mean scores of appearance, symptoms, satisfaction with symptoms, and overall scores were not different between 2 groups. Conclusions: According to the PSAQ, mean scores of appearance, symptoms, and consciousness regarding surgical scar after direct browplasty were relatively low. Asian patients who underwent direct browplasty were generally satisfied with overall appearance and comfort of their scar regardless of brow tattoo lines, despite the statistical difference in their satisfaction with appearance.