title: Facial nerve injuries associated with orthognathic surgery: a review of incidence and management.
abstract: While facial nerve injuries associated with both extraoral and intraoral orthognathic surgery are rare, the results of such an injury can be devastating to the patient. A review of the literature shows that the majority of such injuries fall into the first-, second-, and third-degree injury categories. Prevention cannot be stressed enough; however, early recognition of an injury with prompt electrodiagnostic testing can assist with determining prognosis and treatment planning. When close observation is indicated, a variety of medical therapies have been suggested. For more severe injuries, nerve repair and facial reanimation have been reported.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7908.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Van Sickels
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries; D006801:Humans; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy