Importance of patient's cooperation in surgical treatment for oral submucous fibrosis

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the results of surgical treatment for oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) in patients who did or did not cooperate with the rehabilitation regimen.

Patients and methods: There were 54 patients who had surgical treatment of trismus caused by OSF. Split-thickness skin grafts were used to repair surgical defects after surgery on the fibrous bands. According to postoperative collaboration in the rehabilitation regimen, patients were defined as non-cooperative patients (group I) and cooperative patients (group II). Group I (n = 28) and group II (n = 26) were analyzed separately for changes in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative interincisal distances (ID) for at least 6 months after surgery.

Results: The mean preoperative ID was 18.9 mm (range, 8 to 25 mm) in group I and 18 mm (range, 7 to 25 mm) in group II. The intraoperative ID increased to an average of 39 mm in group I and 38.5 mm in group II. The mean final follow-up ID was 22 mm in group I and 36.1 mm in group II. When evaluating the changes of ID, only a statistically significant difference was found at final visit between groups.

Conclusions: In our study, we found the patient's cooperation is the primary requirement for success in the treatment of OSF.