INFECTION

Evaluation of the Changes in the Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Orthognathic Surgery: A Multicenter Study

Orthognathic surgery can affect patients' quality of life. The aim of the present study was to assess changes in quality of life during combined orthodontics-surgery treatment and effect of orthodontist-surgeon teamwork on final patient's satisfaction. Twenty-six orthognathic patients who were referred to oral and maxillofacial department of 3 hospitals in Tehran were included in the study. Orthognathic quality of life questionnaire (OQLQ) was given to patients 1 week before, 4 weeks and 4 months after surgery. Two self-designed forms were used for evaluating mood and comfort of patients 1 week before surgery and 4 days after surgery. Self-designed forms were given to the orthodontists and the maxillofacial surgeons to assess quality of teamwork and difficulty of the procedure. Twenty-four patients (15 females and 9 males) with the mean age of 22.62 ± 3.57 completed the study. Quality of life increased from 1 week before surgery to 4 months after surgery (P < 0.013) and the difference was statistically significant between OQLQ score at 1 week before surgery and that of 4 months postoperative. Esthetic and social domain showed significant changes during the studied period. Orthognathic quality of life questionnaire at 4 months postoperative was correlated with surgery difficulty and duration. It can be concluded that orthognathic surgery can improve quality of life, especially in esthetic and social aspects.

Prevalence of Postoperative Complications After Orthognathic Surgery: A 15-Year Review

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of postoperative complications after orthognathic surgery and evaluate the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in relation to the infection rate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients undergoing orthognathic procedures between 1990 and 2004 were studied retrospectively by retrieving their individual medical records. Demographic data, intraoperative data (specific orthognathic procedures and duration of operation), and postoperative data (type and duration of antibiotic prophylaxis and presence of postoperative complications) were recorded. Patients noted to have suffered any postoperative complications were studied in detail, and various factors, including gender, age, duration of operation, and use of prophylactic antibiotics, were analyzed using statistical tests in relation to postoperative infection.

RESULTS

A total of 2,910 orthognathic procedures were performed on 1,294 consecutive patients in the 15-year period, with 1,070 patients undergoing bimaxillary procedures and 224 patients undergoing single-jaw surgery. The orthognathic surgery-related complication rate was 9.7%, of which 7.4% was related to postoperative infection. Of the cases of infection, 58.3% were acute infection and 41.7% were chronic infection. Patients who received a single preoperative dose of antibiotics had a significantly higher infection rate (17.3%) than those who received postoperative antibiotics for various durations.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of infection after orthognathic surgery was relatively low given the complexity of the procedures. No particular orthognathic procedure was more susceptible to infection. A preoperative dose of prophylactic antibiotics together with at least 2 days of postoperative doses was useful in reducing the infection rate compared with only a single dose of prophylactic antibiotics.