Perioperative booklet for orthognathic patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: This study compared the effectiveness of an informational booklet on postoperative self-care, knowledge, anxiety and symptoms related to orthognathic surgery.

Methods: This study is a randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial. This study was carried out from August 2013 to August 2015 and included 40 participants (20/group). The intervention group had routine postoperative surgeon guidance, and received a self-care booklet. Booklet information was explained by a nurse. The control group received only routine surgeon guidance. Knowledge and anxiety were compared pre- and postoperatively. Postoperative outcomes included self-care (oral hygiene, mobility and sensitivity, hydration of the lips, edema, and sleeping and breathing conditions), nutrition (eating ability and change in bodyweight), and pain (treatment required and a visual analog scale). Data were analyzed by general linear mixed models and mixed-effects models.

Results: Knowledge was higher in intervention group compared to control group (p < .001). Anxiety assessment displayed no difference between groups. The intervention group had more halitosis (p = .003) and greater bodyweight loss (p = .002).

Conclusions: The booklet increased knowledge of postoperative self-care, but did not lower anxiety. Halitosis and weight loss were higher in the intervention group, however, most outcomes were similar between groups.