Perceptions of recovery and satisfaction in the short term after orthognathic surgery

A 2-arm, parallel-group, stratified-block, randomized clinical trial was designed to assess whether patients' perceptions of recovery and satisfaction 4 to 6 weeks after surgery were affected by 3 factors: preparation strategy (viewing a visual treatment simulation), attitudes (expectations about recovery), and psychologic distress (reported before surgery).

One hundred eighty-four patients with a dentofacial disharmony scheduled for orthognathic surgery were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 preparation strategy groups: a standard presurgical consultation with or without a computerized treatment simulation presentation. Psychologic well-being and expectations regarding recovery were obtained before surgery and perceptions of recovery, and satisfaction were assessed for 126 patients at 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.

Viewing a treatment simulation before surgery did not affect patients' perceptions of postsurgical discomfort or satisfaction at 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Patients who overestimated the discomfort or problems they would experience reported significantly lower average level of problems than those who did not overestimate. Patients who were psychologically distressed before surgery reported, on average, significantly more discomfort or difficulty with symptoms, social/self-concerns, general health, and overall recovery after surgery.

Viewing a treatment simulation before surgery does not, on average, negatively affect perception of symptoms or satisfaction 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Orthognathic surgery patients who are psychologically distressed before surgery tend to report a higher recovery burden overall and, on average, experience more difficulty with symptoms, social/self-concerns, and general health in the first 1 or 2 months after surgery.