We report on problems encountered during perioperative management in a 46-year-old woman with deaf-mutism and loss of multiple teeth who underwent orthognathic surgical correction of a jaw deformity. She consulted a dentist because of poorly fitting dentures when she was 26 years old. The dentist could not treat her, and she was referred to our hospital. However, the patient did not visit a dentist regularly because of lack of understanding.
Nineteen years later, she came to us again and was accompanied by a sign-language interpreter. Her chief complaints were masticatory dysfunction and esthetic dissatisfaction. We performed orthognathic surgical correction after understanding each other through the interpreter. Preoperatively and postoperatively, we promoted mutual understanding through the interpreter. During hospitalization, we managed to communicate mainly by gestures and cards.
Masticatory function and facial esthetics were successfully improved in this patient.
