Physiotherapeutic procedures used in patients after surgical treatment of maxillofacial and occlusal disorders

Abstract

The treatment of patients with craniofacial defects is interdisciplinary and long term. In order to restore the function of the stomatognathic system (chewing, swallowing, speech, breathing) and to improve the aesthetic appearance of the face, patients with malformations and acquired defects require combination therapy. It is necessary to cooperate with a surgeon, orthodontist, phoniatrist, speech therapist, prosthetist, psychologist and physiotherapist. The earlier treatment of facial cranial defects is started, the better final results can be obtained. The aims of rehabilitation are prevention of pulmonary complications, prevention of deep vein thrombosis, restoration of the efficiency of the stomatognathic system, removal of functional and organic consequences of surgery. The implementation of these goals begins on the first day after surgery and continues until the patient is discharged from the hospital. The next step is ambulatory rehabilitation.

Keywords

• physiotherapy
• craniofacial defects
• postoperative treatment