Prospective study of the quality of life after treatment of mandibular fractures.

Health-related quality of life (QoL) has become increasingly important, but few studies have dealt with that of patients who have been treated for mandibular fractures. Our aim was to assess this. Patients with mandibular fractures (n=148) were studied prospectively and QoL after treatment was assessed using the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). The male-female ratio was 8.3:1 and their ages ranged from 14 to 70 years. QoL after treatment of the fractures declined initially (on the first postoperative day) but thereafter improved steadily. There was no significant difference between the mean QoL of those treated by closed, and those treated with open, reduction. Limitations in the options of food to eat, and difficulty in chewing and swallowing, were identified as their most important concerns in the early postoperative period. The improvement in QoL after the first postoperative day was similar however the patients were treated.