Maxillofacial surgery is a specialised form of surgery that focuses on treating conditions related to the face, jaw, and mouth.

Often performed by highly trained surgeons, this type of surgery addresses both medical and cosmetic concerns, helping patients restore function, relieve pain, and enhance their appearance.

In this article, we’ll explore what maxillofacial surgery involves, the conditions it treats, preparations, risks, benefits, and the recovery process.

Maxillofacial surgery addresses a wide variety of medical conditions, including:

• Facial Trauma: Injuries such as fractures to the jaw, cheekbones, or eye sockets, often due to accidents or sports injuries, are repaired through maxillofacial surgery.
• Jaw Misalignment: This includes conditions like overbites, underbites, or jaw asymmetry, which may affect both function and appearance. Surgery realigns the jaws to improve biting, chewing, and speaking.
• Impacted Teeth: Commonly, wisdom teeth that fail to erupt properly can become impacted. Maxillofacial surgery removes these teeth to prevent pain and infection.
• Cleft Lip and Palate: Birth defects that affect the mouth and lip can be corrected with maxillofacial surgery, improving appearance and function (like speech and feeding).
• Oral Cancer: Tumours or cancerous growths in the mouth or jaw may require surgical removal, often followed by reconstructive surgery to restore function and aesthetics.
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ): TMJ problems can cause jaw pain and difficulty opening or closing the mouth. Surgery may help alleviate chronic pain and improve jaw mobility.
• Infections, Cysts, and Tumours: Surgery is often needed to treat serious infections, remove cysts, or excise benign or malignant tumours in the facial or oral areas.
• Cosmetic Procedures: Maxillofacial surgery may also be done for aesthetic reasons, such as correcting facial asymmetry or enhancing features through chin, cheek, or jaw reconstruction.

Before the surgery, several steps are taken to ensure the patient is well-prepared:

1. Medical Evaluation
A complete health assessment is conducted, which includes reviewing medical history, current medications, and any pre-existing conditions that may affect the surgery.

2. Imaging Studies
Tests such as X-rays, CBCT scans, CT scans, or MRIs may be performed to get a clear picture of the affected area. These help the surgeon plan the procedure accurately.

3. Blood Tests
Blood work is done to check overall health and ensure that the patient is fit for surgery, minimising potential risks.

4. Medication Adjustments
Certain medications, particularly blood thinners, may need to be stopped before surgery to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.

5. Pre-Surgery Instructions
Patients are given specific instructions, such as fasting before surgery, arranging for post-surgery transportation, and preparing for recovery at home.

Here is the general procedure for maxillofacial surgery:

1. Procedure of Maxillofacial Surgery
The surgical procedure varies based on the condition being treated. Common features of the surgery include:

2. General Anesthesia
The majority of maxillofacial surgeries are performed under general anaesthesia, meaning the patient will be asleep during the entire procedure.

3. Jaw Realignment (Orthognathic Surgery)
Involves cutting and repositioning parts of the jawbone to correct misalignment. Plates, screws, or wires may be used to hold the bones in place during healing.

4. Tumour Removal
This may involve excising both the tumour and surrounding tissues to ensure complete removal. Reconstructive surgery is often done afterward to restore appearance and function.

5. Duration
Surgery can range from 2-6 hours depending on the complexity, such as whether it involves jaw realignment, tumour removal, or facial reconstruction.