Comparative Evaluation of Effect of Therapeutic Nutrition on Serum Albumin Levels and Nutritional Indices in Patients Undergoing Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Maxillofacial Fractures - A Prospective Clinical Trial.

Aim: To assess effect of therapeutic nutrition on serum albumin levels, nutritional indices and on recovery of patients who have undergone open reduction and internal fixation for maxillofacial fractures.

Methods: A total of 82 patients were included in this prospective study with 41 patients each in therapeutic and non-therapeutic nutrition group. Pre-operative serum albumin, prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and nutritional risk index (NRI) were calculated. Early wound healing index (EHI) was taken along with serum albumin on day 0 and follow-up day 10 and were compared.

Results: There was statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between pre- and post-mean serum albumin levels and mean EHI score in both groups. In non-therapeutic group, there was decrease in serum albumin whereas increase in therapeutic group. There was increase in EHI score on follow-up day 10 which indicated improvement in healing in both the groups.

Conclusion: Addition of protein supplement increased post-operative serum albumin level. Regardless of type of nutrition, an improvement in healing was seen in both the groups. Special nutrition counselling and care must be given for maxillofacial fracture patients who have additional injuries as this may benefit overall post-operative recovery of the patients.