The quality of life in orthognathic surgery: surgery first versus traditional orthognathic surgery evaluation

This study aims to evaluate the differences in terms of Quality of life and the degree of satisfaction with the result obtained between the two groups of patients treated with the orthodontic first approach and surgery first approach, through administered questionnaires inserted in the post-operative phase.

A total of 40 patients who previously underwent orthognathic surgery were included in this study, 20 treated with the orthodontic first approach and 20 treated with the Surgery First Approach. The impact of orthognathic surgery on patients' quality of life was recorded through the administration of the OHIP-14 test, FACE-Q test scale and FACE-Q test. Comparison between the two groups was done using a nonparametric inferential statistical test, the Mann-Whitney U-test.

The results showed no significant differences in terms of quality of life between the two groups. Patients treated with orthodontic first approach presented greater psychological distress and perceived their faces as unattractive.

A worsening of the aesthetics of the face determined by the orthodontic approach before surgery, may not be decisive in the quality of life of patients, which will certainly be better after surgery. SFA and OFA determine in both cases a marked improvement in the patient's quality of life.