Patient's perception of improvement after surgical assisted maxillary expansion (SAME): pilot study.
Clinicians often assume that changes following orthognathic surgery are both physically and psychologically beneficial to the patient. The present study investigates patient perception regarding improvement after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion. A survey with twenty-three patients was carried out to identify satisfaction with the surgical outcome and assess whether the surgery met patient expectations. General information was also collected on schooling, age, gender, chief complaint and reasons for seeking treatment. Most patients (n = 19; 82%) were advised to undergo surgery by a dentist. Twenty-two (95%) patients reported being satisfied with the operation procedure. Twenty-one (91%) patients reported that the procedure met their expectations. Nineteen respondents would undergo the same operation again and would recommend treatment to others with similar problems. The need for surgery associated with orthodontic appliances to correct a transverse maxillary deficiency requires a proper explanation to patients regarding the procedure and postoperative period in order to ensure realistic expectations concerning the surgical goals.