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Published on: January 28, 2020
Chronic pain after orthognathic surgery: a retrospective single-center study
Sakari Kettunen1, Olli-Pekka Lappalainen1, Laura Nykänen1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 320, 00029 Helsinki, Finland.
Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache
|June 1, 2026
Summary
Chronic postsurgical pain affects 7.9% of orthognathic surgery patients. Early gabapentinoid use significantly predicts this pain, highlighting a key factor for postoperative management in orthognathic surgery.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Pain Medicine
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Chronic postsurgical pain is a significant concern following orthognathic surgery (OS).
- Understanding the incidence and predictors of this pain is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the occurrence of chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) three months after OS.
- To identify variables associated with CPSP in OS patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective single-center study of 317 patients undergoing bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) +/- Le Fort I osteotomy.
- Outcome variable: CPSP at 3 months post-OS.
- Statistical analysis using SPSS to identify predictors.
Main Results:
- CPSP occurred in 7.9% of patients.
- Univariate analysis: older age and early gabapentinoid use predicted CPSP.
- Multivariate analysis: early gabapentinoid medication independently predicted CPSP (aOR = 2.975, p = 0.039).
Conclusions:
- CPSP is a notable postoperative complication in OS.
- Surgical factors have minimal impact on CPSP development.
- Further research into psychosocial factors and resilience is needed for better prediction of postoperative pain.