title: Health-related quality of life after surgical treatment of mandibular fracture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after surgical treatment of mandibular fracture and assessed patients' perceptions of the esthetic and functional outcomes of surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We established a prospective study of adult patients who were to undergo open reduction and rigid fixation of mandibular fracture. Of the patients, 49 met the inclusion criteria, and of these, 45 agreed to participate. HRQoL was measured with the generic 15-dimensional (15-D) instrument, and patients' satisfaction was assessed with an additional questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average preoperative 15-D score among patients (0.891) was significantly lower than that in the general population (0.964) (P < .01). Patients were worse off on 9 of the 15 dimensions of HRQoL; however, at 3 months following surgery, all dimensions had improved to the level observed in the general population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HRQoL is significantly reduced after mandibular trauma but improves in a few months after surgery. Sensory disturbance is the most significant disadvantage of the surgery.
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: Leena.kaukola@helsinki.fi.
authors: Leena
authors: L
authors: Kaukola
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Johanna
authors: J
authors: Snäll
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Lindqvist
authors: University of Eastern Finland, Research Centre for Comparative Effectiveness and Patient Safety, Department of Health and Social Management, Kuopio, Finland; and Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District, Administration/Research and Development, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Risto
authors: R
authors: Roine
authors: Hjelt Institute/Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Harri
authors: H
authors: Sintonen
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Jyrki
authors: J
authors: Törnwall
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors: Hanna
authors: H
authors: Thorén
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome