title: Patients' preoperative expectations and postoperative satisfaction of dysgnathic patients operated on with resorbable osteosyntheses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluated whether personal expectations and satisfaction throughout orthognathic surgery were fulfilled. In addition, patients were interrogated about their experience of resorbable osteosynthesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 50 patients were interviewed 3 times each throughout the study by a mixed questionnaire of standard psychologic tests and a tailored itemized questionnaire regarding their expectations regarding resorbable osteofixation and their postoperative satisfaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A postoperative increase in self-esteem and approach to life were evident. An examination of Oral Health-Related Quality of Life showed constant quality of life; an examination of Oral Health Impact Profile-Germany) showed no postoperative difficulties in dental hygiene and nutrition. No statistically significant change in any of the tests could be expressly determined. Avoidance of secondary surgery motivated 94% to choose resorbable osteofixations, although a mere 66% had heard of them before; 90% of patients were satisfied with the operation result.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orthognathic surgery cannot change preexistent depression or a problematic social background. Mastication and oral health improved, and postoperative happiness and confidence increased. When given the choice between resorbable fixation and titanium osteofixation, patients generally preferred resorbable fixations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Maxillofacial and Plastic Facial Surgery, University Medical Centre Frankfurt/Main, Germany. a.ballon@web.de
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ballon
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laudemann
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sader
authors.forename: Constantin A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Landes
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires