The Effect of Photographic Visual Aids in Preoperative Patient Counseling in Oculoplastic Surgery.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of visual supplementation and its mode of delivery in preoperative counseling of patients undergoing oculoplastic surgery.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial of consecutive patients undergoing oculoplastic eyebrow and eyelid surgery was conducted. Patients were randomized to an "oral only" group receiving routine preoperative oral counseling or an "oral and visual" group receiving identical counseling visually supplemented with photographs demonstrating common postoperative physical findings. Patients in the "oral and visual" group were further randomized to receive education from the medical team in person versus prerecorded video. Patient emotions and expectations regarding postoperative healing were assessed preoperatively and at 1 week and 2 months postoperatively.

Results: 103 patients were included: 32 received in-person oral education, 33 received in-person oral education with photographs, and 38 received education with photographs via video. There were no significant differences in demographics or preoperative patient fear, anxiety, or preparedness. The "oral and visual" group expected more severe postsurgical discomfort and physical findings at postoperative day 1 and week 1. There were no significant differences between groups in surgery signup, cancellation, or triage call rates; patient expectations of postoperative months 2 and 4; or in anxiety, preparedness, or satisfaction.

Conclusions: Visual supplementation in preoperative counseling increases patient expectations of postoperative physical findings without escalating fear or anxiety, and has no significant impact on patient emotions, triage call rates, and satisfaction throughout their surgical experience. Preoperative education via video is perceived by patients to be equivalent to counseling in person by the surgeon.