Lari Ali, Alherz Mohammad
From the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, AlRazi National Orthopedic Hospital, Kuwait (Lari); and the Department of Anatomy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland (Alherz).
J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2024 Dec 8;8(12). doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-24-00165. eCollection 2024 Dec 1.
Height is an important psychosocial indicator, with short stature linked to a poorer quality of life. This study investigates public perceptions and attitudes toward cosmetic stature lengthening, a surgical procedure designed to increase individuals' height without a standard necessity.
Using a mixed-methods approach, an online general population sample was surveyed using a crowdsourcing platform (Prolific Academic), which facilitates demographically representative samples. Societal influences, personal attitudes, and awareness of the procedure were explored.
Our quantitative analysis revealed a distinct demographic and psychological profile for individuals more inclined toward the procedure, with self-perception of being short, believing height threatens career progression, and being male as notable factors. The primary motivating factor in these individuals was the range of potential height increase, whereas the most common deterrents were potential complications and weight-bearing status. Qualitative findings highlighted themes of negativity toward the procedure, concerns about pain and recovery time, acceptance of personal physical appearance, and empathy toward height-related distress.
These findings underscore the need for public education, policy considerations, and multidisciplinary patient evaluation processes for cosmetic stature lengthening. Future research should focus on the short- and long-term physical and psychosocial effects to contribute to evidence-based patient education and informed consent.
身高是一个重要的社会心理指标，身材矮小与较差的生活质量相关。本研究调查了公众对美容性身高延长术的看法和态度，这是一种旨在在无标准必要情况下增加个体身高的外科手术。
采用混合方法，通过众包平台（Prolific Academic）对在线普通人群样本进行调查，该平台有助于获取具有人口统计学代表性的样本。探讨了社会影响、个人态度以及对该手术的认知。
我们的定量分析揭示了更倾向于该手术的个体具有独特的人口统计学和心理特征，身材矮小的自我认知、认为身高会威胁职业发展以及男性是显著因素。这些个体的主要动机因素是潜在的身高增加幅度，而最常见的阻碍因素是潜在并发症和承重状况。定性研究结果突出了对该手术的负面态度主题、对疼痛和恢复时间的担忧、对个人外貌的接受以及对与身高相关困扰的同理心。
这些发现强调了对美容性身高延长术进行公众教育、政策考量以及多学科患者评估流程的必要性。未来的研究应关注短期和长期的身体及社会心理影响，以促进基于证据的患者教育和知情同意。
