Depression and anxiety changes in patients after orthognathic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Br J Oral Maxillofac SurgApr 24, 2026 (epub)
Chenxinzi Lin, Chuyi Liu, Weiwei Huang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of orthognathic surgery on depression and anxiety in patients with dentofacial deformities, analyzing 12 studies with 613 participants. The findings indicate significant postoperative improvements in psychological status, with depression scores at more than 6 months postoperatively being lower than preoperative levels (MD 0.20).
Key findings
- Depression scores at more than 6 months postoperatively were significantly lower than preoperative levels (MD 0.20).
- Anxiety improvement at more than 6 months was significant using the SAAS (MD 9.41).
- A more pronounced reduction in depression and anxiety was observed at 3 months postoperatively.
- A potential partial relapse in psychological status was noted between 3 and 6 months post-surgery.
Why it matters
Understanding the psychological impacts of orthognathic surgery is crucial for clinicians, as improvements in mental health can significantly enhance overall patient satisfaction and quality of life following surgical interventions.