Conversion disorder after maxillofacial trauma and surgery

Three cases of conversion disorder are reported: one after orthognathic surgery and two after facial trauma. Two of the cases involved facial anesthesia and one case involved facial palsy. It was thought to be important to bring this phenomenon to the attention of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, to consider its management, and to define the patients with a high risk of developing conversion disorder. The prognosis is dependent on the circumstances of the onset of the disorder, the premorbid psychologic health of the patient, and how rapidly treatment is prescribed.