Long-term patient satisfaction and the sense of coherence - a longitudinal study 10-15 years after orthognathic surgery.

OBJECTIVE

This study focuses on evaluating the long-term treatment outcome (10-15 years) and patient satisfaction after orthognathic treatment with bisagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). Furthermore, the aim was to evaluate whether the psychosocial factor, sense of coherence (SOC) associates with long-term patient satisfaction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study sample consisted of 57 patients who had orthognathic treatment with BSSO. Self-completion questionnaires were distributed approximately 1.8 years and 10-15 years after surgery to evaluate treatment outcome. SOC was evaluated with a 12-scale questionnaire 10-15 years after the surgery.

RESULTS

After 10-15 years following BSSO, 96% of patients were highly or moderately satisfied with the treatment outcome and none expressed dissatisfaction. Less educated patients were more satisfied with the treatment outcome than those with a higher educational level. Patients who felt clear improvement in their facial appearance expressed higher satisfaction than those experiencing only minor facial improvement. Furthermore, patients with improvement in orofacial pains and headaches more often expressed high satisfaction than those without improvement of these symptoms. Patients with strong SOC seemed to have somewhat higher scores for functional aspects of long-term treatment outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-treatment satisfaction with orthognathic treatment appears to be long-lasting. Psychosocial factors may play a role in long-term post-treatment satisfaction. Our study strongly suggests that psychosocial factors should be taken into account in the treatment planning of orthognathic patients.