Telogen Effluvium Following Orthognathic Surgery

The document described a case where a 38-year-old Hispanic woman developed telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss, after undergoing orthognathic surgery. This condition, which involves diffuse hair thinning due to an increased number of hair follicles entering the resting phase, was triggered by the physiological stress of the surgery. The patient's hair loss began 2.5 months post-operation and resolved within 2 months without intervention. The paper highlights the risk of telogen effluvium in patients who have had orthognathic surgery due to factors like surgical stress, postoperative pain, swelling, and reduced caloric intake. Surgeons should be aware of this potential complication to properly diagnose and reassure patients. Other causes of telogen effluvium, such as childbirth, illness, emotional stress, dieting, chronic diseases, and medications, were also briefly mentioned.