Patient-reported outcome measures after periodontal surgery

Objectives: The present study aimed to explore the impact of different periodontal surgical treatments on the quality of life and postoperative morbidity.

Materials and methods: The present study is a single-center, prospective, observational cohort trial. One hundred fifty-five patients, referred to the Periodontal Department of Bologna University who needed periodontal surgical treatment, were recruited. The self-reported perception of the postoperative course was assessed using the following anonymous questionnaires: Italian oral health impact profile (I-OHIP-14), visual analog scale (VAS) to evaluate the intensity of the pain, and 5-point Likert scale.

Results: Patients reported a mean OHIP-14 total score of 9.87±8.5 (range 0-42), significantly influenced by the female sex, flap extension, and periodontal dressing. A mean VAS score of 2.96±2.39 (range 0-9) was calculated, and was found to be influenced by the presence of vertical releasing incisions and palatal flap extension. Of the 155 subjects, 40 (25.8%) patients reported bleeding as a post-surgical complication, 96 (61.9%) swelling, 105 (67.7%) eating discomfort, and 44 (28.4%) reported speech discomfort.

Conclusions: Within the limitations of the nature of the present study, periodontal surgical procedures have a low impact on patients' quality of life evaluated through the OHIP-14 and VAS pain questionnaires.

Clinical relevance: Periodontal surgical procedures are safe procedures, with a limited duration of postoperative discomfort as well as the incidence of complications.