Recovery following orthognathic surgery: mandibular bilateral sagittal split osteotomy and Le Fort I osteotomy

Thirty-eight patients, who underwent orthognathic surgery, reported their recovery period upon returning to work or school and returning to full activity. Twenty-six patients had isolated bilateral sagittal split osteotomies (BSSO) and 12 had isolated Le Fort I osteotomies (LFI). At 1 to 2 weeks postoperatively, 50% of the BSSO group had returned to work or school while none of the LFI group had returned. By 3 to 4 weeks, 81% of the BSSO group had returned to work or school while nearly one half of the LFI group still had not returned. The BSSO group returned to full activity earlier than the LFI group, although the differences were not statistically significant. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, weight, and vital signs were determined preoperatively and for 6 weeks postoperatively. The LFI group had a larger mean estimated blood loss, length of operation, and weight loss.