Incidence of Complications Associated with Mandibuloplasty: A Review of 588 Cases over 5 Years

BACKGROUND: The number of patients undergoing mandibuloplasty in East Asia has increased in recent years. Angle resection, corticectomy, and tubercle excisions are the most commonly used methods of mandibuloplasty. However, no data are available on complications following mandibuloplasty. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and significance of intra- and postoperative complications associated with mandibuloplasty. METHODS: A total of 588 Korean patients (99 men, 489 women; age range, 19–62 years) who underwent mandibuloplasty (performed by a single surgeon in the same clinic) were divided into 4 groups: group I, angle resection (190); group II, angle resection and genioplasty, including tubercle excision (130); group III, angle resection and zygoma reduction (114); and group IV, angle resection, genioplasty, and zygoma reduction (154). The average follow-up period was 14 weeks. RESULTS: The most common complication was numbness. Of 38 patients (6.46%) with sensory deficits, 16 (2.72%), 11 (1.87%), and 11 (1.87%) patients reported these changes around the chin, lower lip, and intraoral incision areas at postoperative 6 months and 3, 1, and 5 patients reported these changes at postoperative 1 year, respectively. Infection occurred in 19 patients (3.23%) within 2 weeks and was resolved with IV antibiotics in 1–2 weeks in 17 patients but was unresolved in 2 after 3 months. Hemifacial palsy, intraoperative bleeding requiring transfusion, and hardness and burning sensation were also noted in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons must be aware of the complications of mandibuloplasty and their occurrence rates.