Implementation of multi-disciplinary morbidity, mortality and improvement conferences in oral and maxillofacial

Jianyao Huang1, Wenyi Shen2, Jinpeng Jiang3

  • 1Department of Stomatology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China.

Medicine
|March 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Multi-disciplinary morbidity, mortality and improvement conferences (MD-MM&ICs) reduced adverse events (AEs) in oral surgery. Regular case reviews improved physician response to complications, enhancing patient safety.

Area of Science:

  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Medical Education
  • Patient Safety

Background:

  • Adverse events (AEs) are a significant concern in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
  • Effective strategies are needed to reduce the incidence and severity of AEs.
  • Current learning pathways may not adequately address AE prevention and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce multi-disciplinary morbidity, mortality and improvement conferences (MD-MM&ICs) in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
  • To evaluate the impact of MD-MM&ICs on the incidence and severity of postoperative AEs.
  • To assess the improvement in physician ability to identify and manage AEs.

Main Methods:

  • Regular MD-MM&ICs were conducted using a reflective learning pathway with young surgeons presenting cases.
  • AEs were recorded and classified using the Clavien-Dindo classification.
  • Causal factors for AEs were identified to categorize preventive measures and treatments.

Main Results:

  • A total of 262 AEs were recorded, with 122 reviewed in 68 MD-MM&ICs.
  • Postoperative hemorrhage/hematoma and wound infection were common AEs.
  • AE incidence and serious complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III) decreased from 35.3% to 31.4% after MD-MM&IC implementation.
  • Complications following flap surgery showed a year-on-year decrease.

Conclusions:

  • Regular MD-MM&ICs effectively reduce the frequency and severity of AEs in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
  • These conferences enhance physicians' skills in AE identification and response, particularly for junior surgeons.
  • Implementing MD-MM&ICs promotes improved patient safety and medical outcomes.