Psychological impact of self-image dissatisfaction after orthognathic surgery: a case report.

AIMS: The number of patients who need treatment for dentofacial abnormalities has increased over the past 30 years. Facial alterations can influence both the patient's self-confidence and his interpersonal relationships, possibly generating emotional or physical handicaps. This qualitative study discusses a patient's psychological dissatisfaction with a postoperative outcome, despite the esthetic and functional success of the treatment. METHODS: The Oral Health Status Questionnaire, Post Surgical Satisfaction Questionnaire, Illness Behavior Questionnaire, and a clinical interview were used for the research methodology. RESULTS: Oral surgeons are encouraged to identify, presurgery, the patient's true motivation. An efficacious behavioral model is proposed that might help the patient transition through the consequences stages of the psychosocial changes associated with facial reconstructive surgery. CONCLUSION: Orthognathic surgery involves more than the correction of a physical problem. The psychological needs of the patient must be recognized and acknowledged, and communication between surgeons and patients is essential. It is important to understand that any surgical treatment that modifies body image could generate psychological disorders for some patients. Early surgical intervention and a referral for psychological counseling may reduce long-term morbidity. This case report should alert attending surgeons and orthodontists to possible unfavorable psychological sequelae.

Psychoemotional assessment changes in patients treated with orthognathic surgery: pre- and postsurgery report.

AIM: To evaluate a sample of patients treated with orthognathic surgery, establishing the emotional and self-perception differences between the pre- and postsurgical assessment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Several questionnaires (Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Self-Rating Depression Scale, Oral Health Status Questionnaire, Post-Surgical Satisfaction Questionnaire) were administered to the sample of 30 patients; these were used to study the data related to body image, level of anxiety, eventual depressive status, quality of life, and postsurgical satisfaction. RESULTS: The longitudinal study results outline the impact of orthognathic surgery on the psychological and emotional well-being of the patient and the need for the specialist to understand the emotional status and expectations of the patient.

Genitourinary cancer: psychological assessment and gender differences.

INTRODUCTION: The study of the psychological impact in patients diagnosed with cancer is an important topic. Cancer diagnosis can induce feelings of anxiety, depression, fear of recurrence and produce treatment side effects. Men and women tend to differ in their way of dealing with emotional distress and physical illness. The aim of this study is to investigate and evaluate the prevalence and detection of psychological disease in patients with genitourinary tumors and outline the eventual gender differences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Self-Rating Depression Scale and Illness Behavior Questionnaire were administered to 60 patients with genitourinary neoplasm. RESULTS: Most patients show symptoms of depression and anxiety during the hospitalization. We have observed a significant gender differences in the psycho-emotional assessment. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the importance to make available for the patients a proper and continuous support in pre- and postsurgery period to prevent the generation of psychological disorders.