Health-related quality of life after surgical treatment of mandibular fracture

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology Vol. 119; no. 4; pp. 402 - 407
• Main Authors: Kaukola, Leena, DDS, Snäll, Johanna, MD, DDS, Lindqvist, Christian, MD, DDS, Roine, Risto, MD, PhD, Sintonen, Harri, PhD, Törnwall, Jyrki, MD, DDS, PhD, Thorén, Hanna, MD, DDS, PhD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.04.2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Dentistry; Female; Finland; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Humans; Male; Mandibular Fractures - surgery; Middle Aged; Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Surgery; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Finland
• ISSN: 2212-4403; 2212-4411
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2014.11.018

Objectives We evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after surgical treatment of mandibular fracture and assessed patients' perceptions of the esthetic and functional outcomes of surgery. Study Design We established a prospective study of adult patients who were to undergo open reduction and rigid fixation of mandibular fracture. Of the patients, 49 met the inclusion criteria, and of these, 45 agreed to participate. HRQoL was measured with the generic 15-dimensional (15-D) instrument, and patients' satisfaction was assessed with an additional questionnaire. Results The average preoperative 15-D score among patients (0.891) was significantly lower than that in the general population (0.964) ( P < .01). Patients were worse off on 9 of the 15 dimensions of HRQoL; however, at 3 months following surgery, all dimensions had improved to the level observed in the general population. Conclusions HRQoL is significantly reduced after mandibular trauma but improves in a few months after surgery. Sensory disturbance is the most significant disadvantage of the surgery.