Nutrition In Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Trauma is a major cause of admission to hospitals by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Maxillofacial operations generally compromise the ability to eat or drink in the early postoperative period. Patients with compound or comminuted fractured jaws or who have undergone Orthognathic surgery are usually unable to take a normal diet for a period of 6-8 weeks. If healing is to proceed normally in these patients, it is important that all nutritional requirements be met throughout this period, otherwise, these patients may become nutritionally deficient, dehydrated and may develop unwanted complications.