Effects of patient- and operation-related factors on postoperative pain after orthognathic surgery

Use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) for the Recovery of Oral Function after Orthognathic Surgery

The oral functions of patients are markedly diminished immediately after orthognathic surgery, and novel approaches are needed to accelerate their recovery. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of weekly applications of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for this purpose, based on the evidence of its effectiveness in other types of patients with muscle alterations. Maximum jaw opening, bite force, pain, and facial inflammation were compared between patients receiving TENS and those receiving sham-TENS for 30 min at baseline and weekly over a four-week period after orthognathic surgery and were also compared between the before and after of each procedure. TENS was applied at 220 Hz, applying the maximum intensity tolerated by each individual patient. The TENS procedure was identical for all patients, but the device was not turned on in the sham-TENS group. Patients were blinded to their group membership. Results were analyzed separately in skeletal class II and III patients. Improvements in jaw opening and inflammation were significantly greater in the TENS than in the sham-TENS group, attributable to the muscle relaxation achieved with the procedure. Research is warranted on the benefits of a more frequent application of TENS.

Intraoperative Blood Loss and Postoperative Pain in the Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy and Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy: A Literature Review

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to review the literature regarding the blood loss and postoperative pain in the isolated sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) and intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO).

Materials and Methods

Investigating the intraoperative blood loss and postoperative pain, articles were selected from 1970 to 2021 in the English published databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library). Article retrieval and selection were performed by two authors, and they independently evaluated them based on the eligibility criteria. The articles meeting the search criteria had especially at least 30 patients.

Results

In the review of intraoperative blood loss, a total of 139 articles were retrieved and restricted to 6 articles (SSRO: 4; IVRO: 2). In the review of postoperative pain, a total of 174 articles were retrieved and restricted to 4 articles (SSRO: 3; IVRO: 1). The mean blood loss of SSRO and IVRO was ranged from 55 to 167 mL and 82 to 104 mL, respectively. The mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores of the first postoperative day were 2 to 5.3 in SSRO and 2.93 to 3.13 in IVRO. The mean VAS scores of the second postoperative day were 1 to 3 in SSRO and 1.1 to 1.8 in IVRO.

Conclusion

Compared to traditional SSRO, IVRO had a significantly lower amount of blood loss. However, the blood transfusion is not necessary in a single-jaw operation (SSRO or IVRO). Postoperative pain was similar between SSRO and IVRO.

Comparison of intraoperative blood loss between four different surgical procedures in the treatment of bimaxillary protrusion

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed at investigating the correlation between intraoperative blood loss and operation-related factors in the treatment of bimaxillary protrusion with four different procedures.

STUDY DESIGN

Ninety-four patients were separated into the following four surgical groups: group 1: anterior subapical osteotomy of the maxilla (ASO Mx) + bilateral parasymphyseal osteotomy of the mandible (BPsO Md) + genioplasty (GeP); group 2: ASO Mx + BPsO Md; group 3: ASO Mx + ASO Md + GeP; and group 4: ASO Mx + ASO Md. Patient- and operation-related factors (age, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and preoperative and postoperative blood parameters) were compared among the four groups.

RESULTS

The mean operation time and intraoperative blood loss were 438.7 minutes and 369.9 mL in group 1; 432.5 minutes and 356.5 mL in group 2; 393.3 minutes and 387.3 mL in group 3; and 353.5 minutes and 289.5 mL in group 4. Intergroup differences in intraoperative blood loss were not significant. A significant correlation between intraoperative blood loss and operation time was found in group 4 but not in the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant differences in blood loss were found among the four different surgical procedures in the treatment of bimaxillary protrusion.