title: Neurosensory function of the inferior alveolar nerve after bilateral sagittal ramus osteotomy: a retrospective study of 68 patients.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to report the incidence of neurosensory dysfunction in the lower lip and chin after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy at four postoperative time points, and the relation of impairment to factors connected with the operation. Sixty-eight patients who had undergone the procedure (at 136 operated sites) were reviewed, and neurosensory recovery was studied at 2, 6, 18 and finally 30 months postoperatively. A change in neurosensory recovery was seen over this period of time. Two months postoperatively, 84 sites had reduced sensitivity (62%). The incidence of disorder decreased to 52 sites (38%) at 6 months, 43 sites (32%) at 1.5 years and 32 sites (24%) at the final 2.5-year check up. The patient age at the time of surgery, the type of osteosynthesis and the perioperative position of the inferior alveolar nerve were variables that influenced the neurosensory outcome. In conclusion, this retrospective study shows that the most important factors influencing postoperative nerve function are patient age, fixation method and the perioperative position of the inferior alveolar nerve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Box 450, SE 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nesari
authors.forename: K-E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Kahnberg
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rasmusson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000009:adverse effects; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects; D001864:Bone Wires / Q000009:adverse effects; D002680:Chin / Q000294:innervation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery*; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome