Personality Characteristics of Patients Seeking Cosmetic Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed on the face. Cosmetic surgery is performed not only to change the appearance, level of satisfaction, and self-confidence of the patient, it may also reflect specific personality patterns. The goal of this study was to investigate the personality characteristics of individuals seeking cosmetic rhinoplasty. Thirty patients referred for rhinoplasty and 30 healthy age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled in this case-control study. All participants filled out the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory 3rd edition and the data were analyzed using ANOVA and Fisher's exact test. Twenty-four (80 %) females and 6 (20 %) males were evaluated. Dependent, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders were seen in 2, 3, and 8 patients in the case group, respectively. The number of individuals with narcissistic personality traits was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Narcissism is the most common psychological trait that motivates patients to seek a rhinoplasty. Personality disorders are not very common among individuals seeking rhinoplasty in Iran.