Oral health-related quality of life of patients undergoing different treatment of facial fractures: The OHIP-14 questionnaire.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The choice of surgical approach can affect the quality of life in patients with a facial fracture. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life in surgically treated patients with facial fractures, and to determine the potential difference in the quality of life related to different surgical approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety facial fracture cases were analyzed. They were divided into three groups operated by skin incision, mucosal incision, and treated conservatively. To examine the quality of life of patients, a questionnaire on the quality of oral health Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 questionnaire was used. RESULTS: In the first days after the injury, patients with transcutaneous approach showed a poorer quality of life in comparison to patients with transmucosal and conservative treatment. The presence of severe posttraumatic pain is significantly more prevalent in patients with transcutaneous surgical approach than in other treatment types. CONCLUSION: During the immediate posttraumatic period, the quality of life is poorer in patients who have undergone transcutaneous approach. There are no differences in the quality of life 1 month or 3 months after the injury. DISCUSSION: Assessment of complaints in the first days after the injury shows statistically significant differences across various therapeutical methods in variables such as pain, discomfort when eating certain foods, aesthetic appeal, nervousness, and relaxation. There is not sufficient evidence related to the differences in these outcomes regarding different surgical approaches for facial fractures.