Trends in Cosmetic Facial Plastic Surgery: Post-COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT

Introduction: With the relaxation of pandemic-related operative restrictions, there has been an increase in elective facial plastic surgical cases in comparison with 2018, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study is to compare the surgical volume of pre-COVID-19 pandemic cosmetic facial plastic surgery (FPS) in 2018 with the postpandemic volume in 2021, in both a tertiary care academic practice and community practice. Method(s) This is a retrospective chart review of adult patients undergoing cosmetic FPS at an academic tertiary care center and community practice Louisiana State University Health Shreveport (LSU) and Kenneth Sanders Facial Plastic Surgery in Louisiana, respectively. Information assessed included demographics, surgical date, and surgical procedure performed during the first 6 months of 2018 and 2021. Categorical variables were compared using 2-proportion z test and Pearson chi2 test. Odds ratio (OR) was used to calculate the likelihood of procedural year predicting subsequent FPS. Result(s) One hundred thirty-nine patients were identified 58 (41.7%) patients in 2018 and 81 (58.3%) patients in 2021. The number of patients having FPS in the <30-year-old age group increased by 13.6% from 2018 to 2021 (P=.02). The number of septorhinoplasties increased by 20.5% from 2018 to 2021 (P=.01). Furthermore, the odds of one having a septorhinoplasty in 2021 increased 144% compared with 2018 (OR 2.44 [95% CI, 1.19, 5.11]). The only cosmetic surgery to significantly decrease in volume during the postpandemic time period was rhytidectomy (OR 0.33 [95% CI, 0.12, 0.82]). Conclusion(s) The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant rise in FPS in patients younger than 30 years and those electing to have septorhinoplasty. The etiology of this increase is not clear;however, possible explanations include the following increased disposable income, "Zoom dysmorphia," and the ability for conspicuous recovery behind a mask.