Patient perceptions of pain, paresthesia, and swelling after orthognathic surgery.

The aims of this study were to determine patients' perceptions of pain, paresthesia, and swelling after orthognathic surgery and to analyze the association between these perceptions and neuroticism, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and mood states among the patients. Levels of pain, paresthesia, and swelling were measured by two self-appraisals that were developed for this research. Perceptions of facial discomfort decreased with time and varied according to the surgical procedure. Patients who scored high on neuroticism tests reported greater levels of temporomandibular joint symptoms before surgery and greater experiences of pain 2 years after surgery. Perceived pain appeared to exert a negative influence on mood states up to 2 years following surgery. These results reveal the importance of continued psychological support for orthognathic surgery patients throughout their course of treatment.