Orthognathic Surgery: A New Preoperative Informed Consent Model

The authors of this study propose a new informed consent form for orthognathic surgery. In a previous study from 2004, a careful review of the international literature and clinical practice suggested the feasibility of dividing the informed consent form into 2 parts, one describing diagnostic procedures and therapeutic/surgical times, and another describing possible problems. During these 4 years, we noticed that this model has 2 setbacks. We replaced point 2, "temporomandibular joint disorders," with "postoperative temporomandibular joint derangement," so that the surgeon is now supposed to inform the patient on the possibility of condylar dislocations, condylar sag, and clockwise/anticlockwise rotations of occlusal surface after surgery. We also changed point 5, "tooth and periodontal disease," in "tooth damage, avulsion, and periodontal disease" because we believe patients should be informed better on the risk of injuries to the dental elements such as fractures, luxations, or avulsions, especially to incisors. In the opinion of the authors, this new informed consent form allows the patient to know the risks related to the orthodontic/surgical therapy better, thus preserving the surgeons from the civil risk and penalties of omission.