Psychosexual dysfunction in patients with immobilized jaws

The purposes of this study were to determine and evaluate the psychosexual behavior of selected patients whose jaws were immobilized. Data for this pilot study were collected by using a standardized interview protocol with ten patients whose jaws were immobilized. The interview questions were designed to ascertain whether sexual problems existed, the nature and management of these problems, and the suggested role the operating surgeon might assume in assisting the patient. The data revealed that sexual difficulties were experienced by nine of these patients, and many of their problems were similar. The chief complaints included: (1) shortness of breath during sexual intercourse, (2) difficulty in oral foreplay, (3) poor verbal communication, (4) altered self-image, (5) sexual dysfunctions induced by pain medication, (6) depression, and (7) a lack of ability to exercise oral-genital sexual contact. Nine of the ten patients agreed that the operating surgeon should inform his or her patients with immobilized jaws of potential sexual disability. We believe that additional studies of these problems could enhance the management of patients with oral and maxillofacial injuries.