Abstract
Elective rhinoplasty surgeons' fees vary considerably and are influenced by geographic
surgeon density, surgeon's experience, local economic factors, patient demand, and
other factors. The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the
American Society of Plastic Surgery, and other organizations certify physicians who
profess expertise in rhinoplasty. We sought to determine if specific board certification
or experience correlates with higher rhinoplasty fee. An internet search was conducted
of seven U.S. metropolitan areas using the search terms “rhinoplasty and “city name.”
Top search results were surveyed for rhinoplasty fee, years of experience, annual
volume of rhinoplasties, board certification, and other demographic data. Using both
univariate and multivariate comparisons, the data were analyzed for forces having
significant correlation with rhinoplasty fee. Sixty-seven surgeons were included in
the study. The average price for ABFPRS certified surgeons was significantly higher
than surgeons with other board certifications ($10,550.00 ± 3,722.10 compared with
$8,524.50 ± 2816.30, p = 0.0142). The volume of rhinoplasties performed per year was also significantly
correlated with fee charged for rhinoplasty by the surgeon (r = 0.37773, p = 0.032). Additionally, surgeons practicing on the West Coast (LA) charged significantly
higher fees ($12,059.09 ± 3014.53) compared with the Mid United States. ($8316.07 ± 2449.43)
and the East Coast ($9152.86 ± 3639.78) (p = 0.0047). On multivariable linear regression, controlling for volume of rhinoplasty
and region of the United States, ABFPRS certified surgeons charged significantly higher
fees for rhinoplasty (p = 0.0230). ABFPRS board certification correlates with higher fees charged for rhinoplasty.
Other important variables include surgeon's annual rhinoplasty and practice on the
West Coast.
Keywords
rhinoplasty - cost - board certification
