Postoperative Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Orthognathic Surgery Patients: Its Estimated Prevalence and Possible Association to Known Risk Factors

Postoperative GI bleeding complication is rare in orthognathic surgical patients, with an estimated prevalence of 0.4%. Based on these observations, orthognathic surgical patients who require mechanical ventilation and are receiving anti-inflammatory medications may have an increased risk of GI bleeding. In the absence of active bleeding from the surgical site, persistent decrease in hemoglobin concentration should alert one to consider the possibility of UGIB.