Recovery of sensation after orthognathic treatment: patients' perspective.
BACKGROUND
In this study, we considered patients' self-assessments to establish the recovery of sensory disturbance and the resultant distress over a 6-month postoperative recovery period after orthognathic surgery.


METHODS
A prospective longitudinal cohort questionnaire survey recruited 47 consecutive patients who met the study criteria (16 years of age or over; single jaw or bimaxillary surgery). A questionnaire to measure perceived facial and oral sensory loss was sent to the participants at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 6 months postsurgery.


RESULTS
Thirty-one participants (66%) completed the first questionnaire, and 26 (55%) completed all 3 assessments. The total sample comprised 14 male and 17 female subjects with a mean age of 21.2 years (SD, 4.93 years). There was a marked reduction in the proportion reporting sensory impairment at the 26-week point for both sites, although more so intraorally. At all 3 times, there were high correlations between the extent of sensory loss and the distress associated with it.


CONCLUSIONS
Change in sensation occurs rapidly in the first 6 weeks postoperatively and more slowly thereafter. The distress caused by sensory loss is strongly related to the amount of sensory disturbance for both the face and the mouth.
Travess
Helen C
HC
Buckinghamshire Hospital Trust, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. helen.travess@buckshosp.nhs.uk
Cunningham
Susan J
SJ
Newton
Jonathon T
JT
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D019186:Mandibular Advancement / Q000009:adverse effects; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D009055:Mouth; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016353:Self-Examination; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology