Understanding Re-operation in orthognathic surgery: A 17-year retrospective study analyzing causes and rates

Orthognathic surgery is a standard procedure for correcting dentofacial deformities. While it generally yields satisfactory results, complications and re-operations can occur. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze the reasons for the re-operation of patients who previously underwent orthognathic surgery and evaluate the procedures in the second and third surgeries. The patients who underwent orthognathic surgery at Erciyes University between June 2006 and September 2023 were included. The primary outcomes were the reasons for re-operation, and the secondary outcomes were the reasons for plate removal and the location of the removed plates. Reasons for re-operation are classified as plate removal, early malocclusion, late malocclusion, inadequate aesthetic satisfaction, septal deviation, bleeding, and retained foreign bodies. The re-operation rate was found to be 8.33 %. The most common reason for re-operation was plate problems, with 43.53 %. Aesthetic dissatisfaction ranked second among the reasons for re-operation, with 16.47 %. The most common reason for plate removal was infection, with 78.68 %. In conclusion, understanding the underlying causes that may lead to re-operation is crucial in informing patients and minimizing the need for re-operation.