Long-term effects of jaw fixation in severe obesity

Weight-loss pattern was analysed in 26 grossly overweight patients after jaw fixation. During a mean fixation time of seven months (range 1.5 to 18 months), mean weight loss in females was 19.3 +/- 5.8 kg (s.d.) and in males 30.0 +/- 22.0 kg. Two years after fixation, mean weight loss in women was 13.8 +/- 8.3 kg. In some cases the jaws were not wired but were covered with plastic splints, which seemed to help these patients in their decision to reduce energy intake. A psychiatric follow-up revealed that most patients reported moderate psychiatric symptoms during treatment. Patients reporting that they ate for consolation tended to regain weight after fixation, whereas patients not reporting this eating pattern continued to lose weight. In selected cases, jaw fixation may be used as an initiating method to institute weight loss. After removal of the fixation, other methods must be available to prevent weight regain.