Orthognathic Surgeries in Patients with Congenital Craniofacial Anomalies: Profile and Hospitalization Outcomes

Abstract

Objective To examine the occurrence of complications in patients with congenital facial anomalies who underwent orthognathic surgeries and to identify the role of patient-related factors in occurrence of complications. Design Retrospective analysis of hospital discharge database. Setting Nationwide inpatient sample for the years 2004 to 2010. All patients with a diagnosis of cleft lip and/or palate or congenital craniofacial anomalies and who had an orthognathic surgery were selected. Interventions Orthognathic surgery. Main Outcome Measures Occurrence of complications. Results During the study period, a total of 8340 patients with congenital craniofacial anomalies underwent orthognathic surgeries. The overall complication rate was 9.1%. Six different complications (bacterial infections, hemorrhage, postoperative pneumonia, iatrogenic-induced complications such as accidental punctures/lacerations or pneumothorax, other infections, and respiratory complications) occurred in at least 1% of all patients having orthognathic surgeries. Ninety-five percent of patients were discharged routinely after surgery. Patients with high comorbid burden are at a higher risk for developing complications ( P < .05) Conclusions The current study findings indicate that orthognathic surgeries can be safely performed in patients with congenital craniofacial anomalies. The present study results reflect the practice patterns and hospitalization outcomes across the country and could serve as benchmarks for future well-designed prospective controlled studies to examine risk factors associated with complications for not only orthognathic surgeries but also for a wider range of surgical procedures.