How oral dressings saved the day in a palatal mucosa laceration during orthognathic surgery

Introduction. Complications are a common occurrence during orthognathic surgery and can cause significant morbidity if not managed appropriately. There is little consensus on the optimal approach for managing palatal mucosal lacerations. Aim of the study. To describe the successful management of a palatal mucosal laceration during orthognathic surgery using oral dressings. Methods. Two patients who underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery sustained a palatal mucosal laceration during the procedure. The laceration was initially intended to be treated with suture or flaps but remained problematic due to risk of infection and bleeding. Oral dressings were then placed in the wound site, resulting in successful control of the bleeding and promotion of tissue healing. Results. The oral dressings were effective in managing the palatal mucosal laceration, resulting in successful control of bleeding and healing of the tissue without further complications. Conclusion. Oral dressings can be a useful adjunct in the management of palatal mucosal lacerations during orthognathic surgery. They provide effective control of bleeding and promote tissue healing, reducing the risk of complications associated with other treatment options, notably infection.