Nutritional problems might be observed after surgical procedures. In this study, body weight and fat composition changes have been investigated in dentofacial deformity patients after the double-jaw osteotomy procedure. Thirty Angle class 3 patients operated on with double-jaw osteotomies during the period of March 2006 to July 2008 were included in the study. Interocclusal splints were applied continuously in the first 2 weeks after surgery, whereas intermittent splint was used for the next 2 weeks. Patients were analyzed before surgery and on the first month after surgery with the help of Tanita Composition Analyzer 310 bioimpedance method for weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass values. Results were evaluated statistically with the paired-sample test using SPSS version 13.0. Although significant results were obtained in female patients before surgery (weight [P = 0.011], body mass index [BMI; P = 0.012], fat mass [P = 0.010], and fat-free mass [P = 0.051, not significant]), none of the values were significant for male patients (P = 0.747, P = 0.747, P = 0.645, and P = 0.803, respectively). Weight gain was observed in 9 patients (30%). In contrast, weight gain was not seen in underweight patients. No sex differences in terms of weight gain/loss and fat composition have been observed. Interocclusal splint in female patients operated on with double-jaw osteotomies might cause nutritional deficiency in the first month after surgery. This eventually causes fat and weight loss, which may lead to poor wound healing and recovery later.
Adolescent Adult