OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine weight loss in patients after four weeks of maxillomandibular fixation and its association with risk factors.

METHODS:

It was a Quasi-experimental design. The study was conducted in the Maxillofacial Department of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. The data was collected from all adult patients that reported in the Abbasi Shaheed hospital outpatient department. All having mandibular fractures that undergo maxillomandibular fixation as a part of their treatment based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, after verbal informed consent recruited in the study. After taking a thorough history and clinical examination patients' weight was measured on the analog weighing machine before maxillomandibular fixation. Patients were recalled after four weeks of treatment with maxillomandibular fixation and the weight of the patient was measured again. All findings were recorded on a predesigned questionnaire. Data was analysed on SPSS version 23.00.

RESULTS:

A total of 70 patients were recruited .The mean age of the patient is age was 27.36+9.53 years . There were 71.4% (50) males and 28.6% (20) females. The mean weight change was -2.57 +1.765 kg. The mean change in weight in males was -2.5 + 1.868 kg and in females was -2.750 + 1.508 kg. Change of weight was compared with different socioeconomic statuses which revealed that patient with an income of less than 10000 had  mean weight loss of -1.40 + 1.837 kg with an income of 10000-20000 had -2.416 + 1.786 kg and greater than 20000 had 3.291 + 1.413 kg. The p-value was significant i.e. 0.011(<0.05). Comparison of change of weight with different age groups revealed that the mean change of weight in young patient was -2.47 + 2.24 kg, in middle age patients it was -2.720 + 1.225 kg and in elderly patients it  was -2.55 + 0 .527 kg. 

CONCLUSION:

This study showed that there was significant weight loss after 4 weeks of maxillomandibular fixation. Although no statistical significant difference   was observed in comparison with gender and  age  however,  a significant change in weight loss was seen in a patient with different socioeconomic status. A healthy diet is essential for rehabilitation, so a supplemental nutrition planning strategy should be taken into account when close reduction procedures are used as the treatment plan in the craniofacial region.

KEYWORDS : Maxillomandibular fixation, intermaxillary fixation, weight loss, nutrition fracture