Weight loss in orthognathic surgery: a clinical study

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Nutritional Science
• Body Composition Analysis

Background:

• Orthognathic surgery aims to correct jaw and facial structure, often leading to post-operative changes in patients.
• Understanding weight and body composition changes is crucial for patient recovery and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze weight, body composition, and Body Mass Index (BMI) changes in patients following orthognathic surgery.
• To evaluate the impact of single- vs. two-jaw surgery on these parameters.
• To compare changes between male and female patients.

Main Methods:

• A service evaluation was conducted on 31 orthognathic surgery patients.
• Measurements of height, weight, BMI, and body fat percentage were taken pre-operatively and at 4 weeks post-surgery.
• Data analysis compared outcomes based on surgical type and patient sex.

Main Results:

• Patients lost an average of 4.96 kg, with a 3.07% decrease in body fat and a 1.63 decrease in BMI within 4 weeks.
• No statistically significant differences in weight loss or body fat changes were found between single- and two-jaw surgery.
• No significant differences were observed between male and female patients regarding weight or body fat changes.

Conclusions:

• Post-orthognathic surgery weight loss is comparable to studies using inter-maxillary fixation.
• Patients with low-normal or underweight BMI require enhanced psychological and dietetic support.
• Tailored oral nutritional supplementation is recommended for all orthognathic surgery patients to mitigate significant weight loss.