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Espeland L, Høgevold HE et al. Eur J Orthod 2008; 30: 24–30

Patients undergoing orthognathic surgery may have varied expectations of the outcome, and there are sometimes significant complications to this elective procedure. This study reports the outcomes for 516 of 583 patients treated by a team at Oslo over a 9 year period, and subsequently reviewed 3 yrs later. Skeletal class III accounted for 285 patients, Class II for 154 and Class I for 77. Surgery included mandibular setbacks and advancements, Le Fort I and other procedures.

About 85% of patients wanted improved dental appearance, 60%, improved facial appearance, and 80%, improved chewing ability. In these categories, expectations were not fulfilled respectively for 5%, 10% and 15% of all patients. Over 88% would have agreed to surgery based on knowledge of their actual experiences, and 3% would not. Overall satisfaction with treatment was reported by 92%. Impaired sensory function was a problem for nearly half of the 316 patients who had a sagittal split osteotomy.