Patient motivation and satisfaction from orthognathic surgery-a case series

This study attempted to understand the specific motivations of patients who undergo orthognathic surgery and determine their satisfaction with the surgery. The study also assessed the prevalence of complications and how they may impact patient satisfaction.

Patients who underwent orthognathic surgery at the University of California between 2016 and 2019 and had completed postoperative orthodontic treatment for ≥9 months were interviewed. They responded to an open-ended telephone interview regarding their motivations, satisfaction, and complications.

The patients showed a high level of satisfaction with the surgery, but there were persistent complications that affected satisfaction. The predominant complication was paresthesia over the distribution of the inferior alveolar nerve. The majority of patients who reported prior headaches and temporomandibular joint problems described improvement in those areas. Comparing the patients' motivations before and after surgery showed that before surgery, patients reported functional concerns, whereas postoperatively they were much more likely to recall aesthetic reasons for the surgery.

This study showed that although patients are generally satisfied after orthognathic surgery, patients need to be realistically informed of their expectations and adequately informed of possible complications.