Impact of Surgical Management on the Quality of Life of Patients with Maxillofacial Fractures

Background: Facial trauma often affects more than just physical appearance; it can disrupt daily functioning and emotional stability, ultimately reducing a patient's quality of life (QoL).Although maxillofacial surgery has advanced considerably, there is limited evidence directly comparing the impact of surgical and conservative management on oral health-related QoL.Understanding these differences is important for choosing patient-centred treatment strategies.Materials and methods: This study included 60 adults (44 men and 16 women) aged 18-65 years who reported with facial bone fractures to a tertiary maxillofacial centre in Kerala between June 2022 and July 2023.Participants were allocated into two equal groups: One treated surgically and the other managed conservatively.The OHIP-14 questionnaire, previously validated for this patient population, was administered at three stages: Immediately after the traumatic event (T1), 30 days post-treatment (T2), and 90 days post-treatment (T3).Changes within and between groups were analysed using appropriate statistical tests.Results: Both groups showed notable improvements in OHIP-14 scores across the assessment period (p < 0.001).Patients receiving conservative care demonstrated a steady decline in scores from T1 through T3, reflecting continuous improvement.In contrast, those undergoing surgery showed a temporary increase in scores at T2, largely attributed to postoperative discomfort, before exhibiting significant recovery by T3.Intergroup comparisons indicated statistically significant differences at every evaluated time point (p < 0.05).Overall, conservative management provided earlier relief, while surgical intervention delivered more pronounced long-term functional and psychological benefits.Conclusion: Conservative and surgical treatments both contribute meaningfully to improved QoL following maxillofacial fractures.However, the trajectory of recovery differs: Conservative therapy offers faster early improvement, whereas surgery tends to yield more enduring advantages as healing progresses.These findings highlight the importance of tailoring treatment plans to individual patient needs, expectations, and clinical conditions to optimise recovery and satisfaction.