Patient related outcomes and improvements in quality of life following orthognathic surgery

AbstractAimThe purpose of this systematic review was to summarise the findings and to evaluate changes in patient quality of life (QOL) following orthognathic surgery.Materials and methodsOnline searches were undertaken to identify suitable studies. Prospective cohort or case‐control studies using questionnaires or similar assessment instruments to evaluate pre‐ and post‐orthognathic surgery QOL were included in the analysis. QOL was assessed in the following five domains: physical functioning and limitations, physical pain, psychological well‐being and self‐esteem, self‐perception with regards to aesthetics and social functioning and relationships.ResultsOf the 13 studies included in the analysis most noted significant improvements in all QOL domains. The domains in which the greatest improvements were noted post‐operatively were psychological well‐being and self‐esteem and self‐perception with regards to aesthetics. The results of the Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) revealed that patients experienced no considerable changes in QOL after orthognathic surgery, while the other assessment instruments used demonstrated that patients experienced changes primarily in self‐perception wi