Postoperative Care of the Maxillofacial Surgery Patient

“Surgery” is defined as “treatment of injuries or disorders of the body by incision or manipulation, especially with instruments”. As such, it is nothing more than the mere performance of maneuvers at the operating room and certainly does not qualify to be called “treatment”. It is postoperative care that completes the process, ultimately benefitting the patient. In general, this includes the overall maintenance of wellbeing and early recovery of function before the patient can be discharged to be on his own. Additionally, the maxillofacial patient presents with issues exclusive to the anatomy and physiology of the head and neck region. One needs to have in-depth knowledge of these unique aspects, in addition to being a shrewd clinician at the postoperative ward. This chapter aims to equip the surgeon with such information as is necessary to provide the best of services following maxillofacial surgery.