Side Effects and Complications
- Bleeding and Hematoma: Bleeding may occur during the surgery. If hemostasis is not complete, a hematoma may form postoperatively. This is typically managed through pressure application, drainage, and other methods.
- Infection: If the surgical incision becomes infected, it may cause local redness, swelling, pain, and fever. Antibiotics are used postoperatively to prevent infection. If infection occurs, anti-infective treatment should be initiated immediately.
- Nerve Damage: The area around the mandible contains numerous nerves that may be damaged during surgery, leading to symptoms such as numbness of the lower lip and paresthesia. Most nerve injuries are temporary and gradually recover postoperatively, although a small number of cases may result in permanent nerve damage.
- Poor Bone Healing: Postoperatively, the bone may heal improperly, affecting the stability of the mandible. This can be related to the patient's individual condition, surgical technique, postoperative care, and other factors. Appropriate measures, such as extending fixation time or performing revision surgery, may be required depending on the specific situation.
- Swelling and Bruising: Facial swelling and bruising are common side effects after surgery and typically subside within 1 to 2 weeks postoperatively.
- Scarring: Surgical incisions may leave some scarring. However, surgeons usually select concealed incision sites, such as intraoral incisions, to minimize the aesthetic impact of scars. For most patients, scars gradually fade over time, although a small number of patients may experience hypertrophic scarring.