Early Post-Operative Complications in Surgeries Pertaining Oral and Maxillofacial Region in MNH, Tanzania

Abstract

The Oral and maxillofacial region is one of the complex regions of the body considering the vast anatomical structures that are found in this region; head and neck surgery has potential for many complications, yet inadequate information on occurrence of post-operative complications in oral and maxillofacial surgeries in our setting has been documented. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of common early post-operative complications after oral and maxillofacial surgery in relationship to the underlying systemic condition. A descriptive postoperative study was done whereby patients who underwent oral and maxillofacial surgery were included. The included patients were those who underwent surgery for different pathological conditions, trauma, developmental/congenital conditions and inflammatory conditions to mention few. Demographic data, complications developed within one week post operative, and underlying systemic comorbidities before and after surgery were documented and analysed. A total of 102 patients were included in the study. The mean age of participants was 30.00 ± 17.01 years with a range of 2 to 81 years. Majority 43.1% (n = 44) had benign tumors with a leading diagnosis of ameloblastoma. In general, the most common complications which were noted in the cases included Pain 98% (n = 100) and Post-operative Swelling 97.1% (n = 99). The presence of underlying systemic comorbid conditions has a significant role in occurrence of some severe complications. The occurrence of complications does increase the duration of stay in the hospital hence increasing cost of treatment for which bearers are both patients and the hospital.