Clinical Follow-up Examination and the Patients’ Perception – a Comparative Analysis of Treatment Outcomes Based on a Study Performed Among Patients with Fractures of the Upper and Middle Thirds of the Facial Skeleton

Abstract

Together with the rapidly progressing civilizational development and pace of everyday life, one can observe an inevitable rise in the number of accidents, frequently associated with injuries in the region of the craniofacial skeleton [1,2]. Such imaging techniques as, among others, computed to- AbstractBackground. Patients with facial skeleton injuries constitute a numerous group. Their treatment should enable the elimination of any functional, morphological, and esthetic disorders. Remote follow-ups allow us to observe the persistent disorders and gather information leading to surgical technique improvement. However, data on patients' perception can significantly add to the results assessment. Objectives. The aim of the paper was a comparative analysis of the outcomes obtained in the follow-up examination and a questionnaire survey among patients with past facial skeleton injuries. Material and Methods. The authors analyzed 266 patients. The follow-up examination, attended by 70 (26.3%) patients, was performed within 1-3 years after treatment. Also, an anonymous questionnaire was sent to the patients; 93 of them answered the questionnaire. Patients were asked to assess the management results on the basis of their experience with the treatment process, and the persistent disorders. Results. The follow-up data proved a positive outcome in 57 (81.4%) patients; an unsatisfactory outcome was noted in 13 (18.6%) patients. The questionnaire results were presented as the patients' satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the treatment effects. A positive outcome was obtained in 88.8%; an unsatisfactory outcome referred to 11.2%. The results demonstrate that even the more frequent present disorders cannot be unequivocally converted into data on the patients' satisfaction with the treatment effects. Conclusions. A consideration of the patients' own evaluation should be an inherent part of the management results assessment. A complex results analysis lets us draw conclusions to improve not only the treatment methods, but also the patients' psychical comfort (Dent. Med. Probl. 2015, 52, 4, 401-407).