Patient outcomes, satisfaction, and improvement in headaches after endoscopic brow-lift.

IMPORTANCE To improve preoperative counseling for patients considering endoscopic brow-lift (EBL). OBJECTIVES To understand patient-reported outcomes, satisfaction, and recovery after EBL surgery to improve preoperative counseling. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective telephone survey of 57 patients who had EBL or EBL with concurrent rhytidectomy to assess cosmetic and functional outcomes using 47 questions. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE Questions evaluated outcomes, satisfaction, and recovery. RESULTS Fifty-three patients (93%) reported the procedure was successful, and 55 patients (96%) would recommend undergoing this procedure. Forty-two (74%) were incidentally told they looked younger; 37 patients (65%) were told they looked less tired. Forty-two patients (74%) reported increased confidence. Fifty-one patients (89%) required analgesics for less than 1 week, 44 patients (77%) reported scars as unnoticeable, 54 patients (95%) reported postoperative edema lasting less than 2 weeks, 16 patients (28%) reported alopecia at an incision site, and 36 patients (63%) had some numbness. In the 16 patients who reported headaches before surgery, 8 patients (50%) reported an improvement in either frequency or intensity. Patients who underwent rhytidectomy were significantly more likely to take 2 weeks or longer to return to normal activities. No differences were noted between rhytidectomy with EBL compared with EBL alone in analgesic use, edema, numbness, alopecia, and satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Endoscopic brow-lift is well tolerated and most patients are happy with the outcome. Relying on patient-reported information helps us to better understand the surgical experience and to improve preoperative counseling. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4.