[The significance of using the method of shared decision-making in preparing patients for orthognathic surgery].

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of the shared decision-making method on patient satisfaction with the quality of preoperative preparation for combined (orthodontic and surgical) treatment.

Material and methods: The study included 97 patients with skeletal forms of distal and mesial occlusion, who were prepared for combined (orthodontic and surgical) treatment using the shared decision-making method. The effectiveness of the shared decision-making technique used in preparing patients for combined treatment was assessed by means of a questionnaire developed.

Results: On the 2nd day after surgery, a patient survey revealed 25 different complaints related to the clinical manifestations of the effects of orthognathic surgery and rehabilitation features. The most frequently reported complaints were difficulty breathing (60.8%), swelling in the face (38.1%), difficulty eating (37.1%), bimaxillary splinting (21.7%), weakness/drowsiness (20.6%), numbness (19.6%), facial pain (15.5%). A survey conducted 6 months after orthognathic surgery showed that only 5.2% of patients were not satisfied with their preoperative consultation and considered the information provided to them about the postoperative consequences and rehabilitation features insufficiently comprehensive. 91.8% of patients noted that the information provided at the preoperative consultation stage helped them adapt to the specifics of the rehabilitation period, and only 1% would like to be unaware of the postoperative consequences.

Conclusion: The use of the shared decision-making method allows patients to successfully adapt to the consequences of orthognathic surgery and to the specifics of rehabilitation after it.