Figure 1

Comparison of long-term outcomes with regard to different problems between the PT and ST groups. (A) Perceptual problems. There were no significant differences between the PT and ST groups in the self-evaluated frequency (11/39 vs. 17/35, respectively, p = 0.61) or mean score of the degree of perceptual problems (0.71 ± 1.01 vs. 1.11 ± 1.30, respectively, p = 0.19). (B) Functional problems. There were no significant differences in the self-evaluated frequency (p = 1.00) or score of the degree (p = 0.78) of functional problems between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the frequency of a high score (score ≥2 points) or in the mean score for dysphagia and dysphonia in the door-to-door evaluation. (C) Appearance problems. There was no significant difference in the frequency of appearance-related problems between the PT and ST groups (19/28 vs. 29/35, respectively, p = 0.24). However, the mean score for the degree of appearance-related problems was significantly higher in the ST group than in the PT group (3.43 ± 1.97 vs. 2.00 ± 1.80, respectively, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in the frequency of a high score (score ≥2 points) or in the mean score for scar length and pigmentation in the door-to-door evaluation. However, unevenness of >2 points was significantly more frequent in the ST group than in the PT group (9/35 vs. 1/28, respectively, p = 0.03).