Spectrum of dentofacial deformities: a retrospective survey

This retrospective study investigates the spectrum of dentofacial deformities, demographic profile, management and surgical outcomes of orthognathic patients treated in the University Hospital in Malaysia.

Over a period of 10 years (1989 to 1999), 34 patients with dentofacial deformities who had orthognathic surgery were reviewed; patients with cleft lip and palate or syndromes were excluded.

The mean age (range, 17 to 35 years) of the patients was 24.3 years and the ratio of female to male was 2.4:1. The predominant ethnic group was Chinese, with females (47.1%) forming the largest group. The main reason for seeking surgery was aesthetic improvement (41%). The majority of the patients had skeletal class III pattern (91%) and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy was the most common surgery done (82%). Postoperative complications were mainly paraesthesia/numbness (56%) and infection (15%). In long-term review, 2 (6%) patients had persistent numbness of the inferior alveolar nerve.

The findings suggest that the majority of the patients are young adult female students with skeletal class III pattern and treated for mandibular prognathism. The complication of persistent numbness and higher rate of postoperative infection indicate that longterm reviews and good antibiotic prophylaxis/therapy are necessary.