title: Patients' perception of improvement after orthognathic surgery: pilot study.
abstract: We aimed to find out what patients thought of their quality of life after they had had an orthognathic operation. Thirty-two patients returned three questionnaires and 15 were further interrogated by telephone. Preoperatively the patients mentioned mainly functional problems as a reason for asking for the operation, but expectation of aesthetic improvement was also an important factor. They were generally satisfied with the outcome of the operation. Postoperative improvement was mentioned in terms of chewing, appearance, headaches, and bullying. Patients felt more secure in company with other people postoperatively. We conclude that patients' perceptions after orthognathic operations were generally favourable but there is a need for improved information to patients during the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Central Hospital, 721 89 Västerås, Sweden. maria.modig@ofa.ki.se
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Modig
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wårdh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012913:Snoring / Q000517:prevention & control; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000628:therapy