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Pneumothorax after orthognathic surgery
Michaela L Goodson1, Ravi Manemi, Antony W Paterson
1Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, United Kingdom.
The British Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
|December 19, 2009
Summary
An 18-year-old experienced pneumothorax after bimaxillary osteotomy for malocclusion. This rare complication, potentially iatrogenic, resolved with chest drain insertion, with no prior similar cases reported after orthognathic surgery.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Thoracic Medicine
Background:
- Bimaxillary osteotomy is a surgical procedure to correct severe malocclusion.
- Orthognathic surgery aims to improve dental occlusion and facial aesthetics.
Observation:
- An 18-year-old female developed left-sided pneumothorax two days post-bimaxillary osteotomy.
- Diagnostic imaging revealed complete lung collapse and mediastinal shift.
Findings:
- The patient underwent chest drain insertion for pneumothorax management.
- Recovery was uneventful, with no reported complications of this nature following orthognathic surgery.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential, previously unreported complication of orthognathic surgery.
- Further investigation into the iatrogenic or spontaneous causes of pneumothorax after such procedures may be warranted.
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