The incidence of complications in orthognathic surgery

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the type, frequency, treatment options and prevention methods of complications arising after surgical treatment of maxillofacial deformities. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using 72 medical records of Caucasian subjects who underwent surgery in 2018 and 2019 at the Clinic of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery at Rijeka University Hospital Center. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: Most of the patients experienced some kind of complication and in most cases they were transitory. The consequences of damage to the sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve (occasional tingling, tightness, pain, loss of sensation) remain permanently present in most of the patients. The highest percentage of patients underwent surgical treatment due to speech and mastication problems. The majority of them are satisfied with the outcome. Conclusion: Most of the complications can be successfully treated.