Abstract
Objective
To analyse weight change, body composition change and Body Mass Index change in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery.
Design
A service evaluation was undertaken in orthognathic patients pre-operatively and at 4 weeks post-surgery.
Setting
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham outpatient department.
Subjects
Thirty-one patients scheduled for single- or two-jaw orthognathic surgery and rigid internal fixation.
Methods
Immediately pre-operatively and at 4 weeks post-surgery the following information was gathered: (1) patient height; (2) patient weight (kg); (3) Patient Body Mass Index; and (4) patient body fat percentage.
Results
In the 4-week post-operative period, the average weight loss was −4·96 kg (range: −9·6 to +3·0 kg), with a body fat reduction of −3·07% (range: −5·80% to +2·30%) and an average reduction in Body Mass Index of −1·63 (range: −3·4 to +0·8). There was no statistically significant difference in weight loss (P = 0·1562) or body fat composition change (P = 0·2391) between single- or two-jaw surgery. There was no statistically significant difference in weight loss (P = 0·4858) or body fat composition change (P = 0·5321) between male and female patients.
Conclusions
Weight loss observed was similar to that reported in studies using inter-maxillary fixation. Closer psychological and dietetic support is needed for patients who have a low normal or underweight Body Mass Index. Better and more bespoke tailored Oral Nutritional Supplementation must be provided for all orthognathic surgery patients to potentially reduce this significant weight loss.
Keywords
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