Treatment duration and factors associated with the surgery-first approach: a two-center study

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment duration and number of appointments in orthognathic surgery using the surgery-first approach (SFA) and to evaluate the factors associated to these outcomes. METHODS This was a retrospective chart review of consecutively treated patients with SFA at a University clinic and a private practice setting. Treatment duration, number of appointment, and factors associated to this duration such as patient demographics, type of surgery, use of 3D planning, and treatment center among others were evaluated. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the simultaneous association between all predictor variables and outcomes. RESULTS Median treatment duration for patients undergoing SFA was 9.6 months [6.1 (25 % percentile); 13.4 (75 % percentile)] with a median number of 13.8 appointments [9 (25 % percentile); 17 (75 % percentile)]. Transverse maxillary expansion was associated with longer treatment duration and number of appointments. There was also a significant difference in number of appointments between the two treatment centers. CONCLUSIONS SFA significantly reduces treatment duration in orthognathic surgery. Transverse expansion is associated with longer treatment duration and number of appointments.