Project 1:  Clinical observational study of the existing protocol for orthognathic surgery

Orthognathic surgery can be used to correct maxillofacial dysmorphoses. There are several indications for surgery. By restoring the proper anatomical relationship between the jaws, normal function of the jaws can be established and further deterioration of the teeth and the TMJ can be protected. Moreover, the posterior pharyngeal airway can be opened to help severe sleep apnea patients. Orthognathic procedure includes the correction of jaws misalignment, as well as adjuvant procedures to improve hard and soft tissue contours.

All consecutive patients consulting for orthognathic surgery at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven are included, once a positive treatment decision is taken and after obtaining informed consent to participate in this study. Each patient after surgery is routinely followed-up for two years.

The knowledge gained from this study is expected to relate the existing clinical protocol to the treatment outcome measures. As mentioned earlier, this study is considered as our quality control of the routinely used orthognathic procedure and therefore, the present evaluation of treatment phases versus outcome measure will allow us in the future to make potential optimisations whenever needed.