Pediatric Orthognathic Surgery: A NSQIP-P Comparison of Peri-Operative Factors and Outcome Differences Between Cleft and Noncleft Patients.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the risk factors, complication profiles, and clinical outcomes of cleft and noncleft patients undergoing single jaw (mandibular or LeFort 1) and bimaxillary (BSSO + LeFort 1).

Design: Retrospective Cross-sectional Study Setting: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database 2018-2019.

Patients: Pediatric patients.

Interventions: Outcomes for mandibular, LeFort 1, and bimaxillary osteotomy were retrospectively evaluated for cleft and noncleft patients.

Main outcome measures: Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the odds of complications and length of stay for cleft and noncleft patients undergoing single jaw and double jaw surgery.

Results: 669 pediatric patient underwent orthognathic surgery in the study period; the majority received LF1 only (n = 385; 58.3%), followed by mandible only (n = 179; 27.1%), and bimaxillary (n = 105; 15.9%%). Cleft differences were present in 56% of LFI patients, 32% of mandibular patients, and 22% of bimaxillary patients. After multivariate adjustment, ASA class III was associated with nearly 400% increased odds of any complication including readmission and reoperation (OR = 5.99; CI [[1.54-23.32]], p < 0.01, and 65% increased LOS (β-coefficient = 1.65, CI [1.37-1.99], p < 0.01). Presence of cleft was not significantly associated with odds of any complication (p = 0.69) nor increased LOS (p = 0.46) in this population.

Conclusion: Complications remained low between surgery types among cleft and noncleft patients. The most significant risk factor in pediatric orthognathic surgery was not the presence of cleft but rather increased ASA class. Though common in patients seeking orthognathic surgery, cleft differences did not cause additional risk after adjustment for other variables.