Psychological aspects of dentofacial surgery patients

Abstract

The aims of this study were 1. To determine the motivation of people to have dentofacial surgery. 2. To determine the role of psychological variables in determining the level of patient satisfaction with the dentofacial surgical procedure. 3. The development of a rapid psychological screening questionnaire. Psychological profiles of patients undergoing dentofacial surgery were assessed and compared with age and sex matched controls. The dentofacial surgery patients were subdivided into those who proceeded with the surgery, and those who for various reasons did not proceed. Psychological profiles of the three patient groups were assessed by a questionnaire package consisting of: 1. Illness behaviour questionnaire 2. Body image questionnaire 3. Anxiety scales 4. Depression scale 5. Life events. The results of the pre operative testing are presented and differences are discussed. Patients who had dentofacial surgery were given a follow up questionnaire six months later. The repeated profiles are presented, and differences highlighted. Patient satisfaction with dentofacial surgical procedures was self and operator assessed and related to psychological profiles pre and post operatively. Satisfactionwas also related to residual post operative complications. The literature was reviewed in relation to the psychological profiles of patients undergoing cosmetic surgery such as rhinoplasty and mammoplasty, other non cosmetic surgical procedures, such as coronary artery bypass grafting and reconstruction following mastectomy, and those undergoing dentofacial surgery. The reported patient population were compared to both the cosmetic and other surgical patients for similarities. The psychological profiles of the reported patient population was also compared to the profiles reported in the literature for concordance or otherwise. Suggestions for future direction, including modification of the questionnaire package, are made.