Perioperative Patient Perspectives on Orthognathic Surgery - A Prospective Study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Understanding patient motivations and expectations of orthognathic surgery are critical aspects of the perioperative assessment, as these factors have been demonstrated to influence patient satisfaction with surgical outcomes. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing orthognathic surgery by a tertiary oral and maxillofacial surgeon underwent two structured interviews to explore their pre-operative motivations for orthognathic surgery, their post-operative reflections on the surgery and their outcomes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Eighteen patients were recruited and interviewed preoperatively, and seven completed interviews postoperatively. Pre-operative themes describe patient hopes for aesthetic improvements, socio-emotional improvements, functional improvements and reduced pain, as well as fears about surgical risks, surgical recovery and changing appearance. Post-operative themes describe the challenging recovery process, the absence of regrets and functional, aesthetic and socio-emotional improvements. Discussion: Orthognathic surgery patients may be motivated by functional, aesthetic and socio-emotional improvements before surgery.