WEIGHT LOSS AMONG PATIENTS TREATED WITH MAXILLOMANDIBULAR FIXATION AT KHYBER COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY, PESHAWAR

Abstract

Objective: To determine the mean difference in weight among patients before and after Maxillomandibular Fixation (MMF) for the treatment of mandibular fractures. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. A total of 120 patients aged 20-50 years with mandibular fractures requiring MMF were included. Patients with comorbidities were excluded. Weight was recorded on the day of admission (pre-operative) and at the completion of 6 weeks of MMF (post-operative). Data were analyzed using SPSS, with a Paired Sample T-Test used to compare mean weights. Results: The study population (N=120) had a mean age of 32.72 ± 8.92 years, with a male predominance (78.3%, n=94). The primary route of intake was oral (91.7%). The mean pre-operative weight was 67.57 ± 11.23 kg, and the mean post-operative weight was 61.80 ± 10.37 kg. The mean weight loss was 5.77 ± 1.96 kg. The difference was highly statistically significant (t(119) = 32.12, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Maxillomandibular fixation results in statistically significant weight loss in patients treated for mandibular fractures. Nutritional counselling and caloric supplementation should be essential parts of the management protocol at this centre.