Revue internationale de psychologie scolaire et cognitive
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Psychosocial, Functional and Aesthetic-Related Patients’ Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMS) after Orofacial Reconstructive Surgery among Noma Cases in Ethiopia

Heron Gezahegn Gebretsadik

Noma is facial gangrene that can disfigure the facial appearance severely. Patients with severe facial disfigurement are certainly prone to psychosocial and functional morbidity. Although conventional facial reconstructions can positively affect such morbidity, these procedures are often inadequate for more severe facial defects. In this cross-sectional study, the functional, psychosocial, and aesthetic-related patients’ reported outcomes were measured among surgically treated noma cases in Ethiopia. Forty-five patients who underwent orofacial reconstructive surgery between 2015 and 2022 were involved in the study. The Face Questionnaire (FACE-Q) and the Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS59) scores were modified and used to assess the PROMs among the Noma cases. The data analysis revealed slight improvements in aesthetic (Likert’s score=1.9), psychosocial (Likert’s score=2.3), and functional (Likert’s score=2.4) domains after an average of 4 years following the surgery. Generally, the confidence level in appearance after surgery was low, whereas distress and depression remained high. The findings of this study suggest the necessity of providing an interdisciplinary surgical approach to treat noma. Furthermore, physical and psychological rehabilitation programs need to be provided to the patients after surgical interventions.