A service evaluation to assess the impact of orthognathic surgery on the quality of life of patients pre-operatively versus post operatively

Background: Dentofacial deformities are primarily surgically treated via orthognathic surgery. It is important to assess the impact of this surgery on a patient’s quality of life. Assessment of quality of life is becoming increasingly important in clinical research. Health-related quality of life is concerned with aspects of quality of life that relate specifically to an individual’s health. Our objective was to assess patient perceptions pre-operative and post-operatively in four domains: social aspect of deformity, facial aesthetics, function and awareness of facial deformity. Furthermore, we wanted to compare the pre-operative and post-operative perceptions following Orthognathic Surgery. Lastly, we aimed to assess which domain saw the largest change in perception?

Method: We carried out a retrospective analysis of all patients who finished undergoing Orthognathic surgery at the trust from January 2018 – December 2022 (n=55). This was carried out via telephone survey using an adaptation of a pre-formed questionnaire? with the same 22 questions on the pre-operative and post-operative sections.

Results: Data was collected via a paper questionnaire via telephone survey. We obtained 32 responses (a 58% response rate) with a 9:23 male-to-female ratio. We also analyzed the data for skeletal pattern which demonstrated a 19:13 class II versus Class III ratio. The results had a median age of 21 and a mode age of 20. Overall, we saw a 67% Improvement in patient’s perceptions. 71% of the patients felt less bothered post-operatively in the social aspects of the deformity domain. 76% of the patients felt less facial aesthetic concerns. 60% felt an improvement in function. 57% of the patients were less aware of their facial deformity. Data analysis (via the paired t-test (Pearson correlation) and Wilcoxon Analysis) demonstrated a p-value and t-value <0.05, therefore showing a significant difference i.e., improvement in patient perception post-surgery.?

Conclusion: The quality of service and the care it provides is adequately assessed using patient-related experience measures (PREMS) and patient-related outcome measures (PROMS). The above data shows Orthognathic surgery has an overall significant improvement in the QoL of patients post-operatively with perceptions in facial aesthetics seeing the highest change post-operatively.

Audience Take Away:

 

• The audience will also be exposed to a literature review of the current Orthognathic quality of life research similar to this project. 
• The above research highlights the importance of assessment of quality of life using a current pre-validated questionnaire. These questionnaires form a vital part of obtaining patient-reported outcome measures.
• Yes, this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching
• Yes, this provide a practical solution to a problem that could simplify or make a designer’s job more efficient
• The adapted questionnaire was well received by all participants and members of staff.