Clinical effects of mandibular fixation on cholesterol intake and serum lipids: a case study.

With cholesterol and saturated fat intake strictly controlled and monitored, the opportunity arose to study the effect of stress on the elevation of cholesterol levels (7). Results indicate significant increase in fasting lipids preoperatively (Table 1). Postoperatively, lipid levels dropped immediately and leveled out to a normal range for this patient and were maintained through the 6-month follow-up blood analysis. As lipids increased, the cardiovascular risk factors remained fairly consistent because of a similar elevation of all lipids. This supports the research that stress releases catecholamines, which raise free fatty acid levels in the blood stream (8,9). This case study does suggest that there is a relationship between elevated serum lipid levels and emotional stress (10). A total liquid diet for 6 to 8 weeks can modify cholesterol intake. This case study is unique because the patient consumed only low-cholesterol, low-saturated fat foods and liquids and nutritional supplements and was acutely aware of meeting nutritional requirements (6). The average patient undergoing oral surgery with mandibular fixation typically selects whole milk products, ice cream, and other high-cholesterol liquids in order to increase total caloric intake.