Lingual nerve damage after mandibular third molar surgery: a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to clinically evaluate the frequency, type, and risk factors for lingual nerve damage after mandibular third molar surgery with reference to lingual flap retraction.


METHODS
A total of fifty-five patients referred for bilateral mandibular third molar removal were included in this study. Each patient was randomly allotted to have the procedure performed on 1 side (experimental group) with lingual flap retraction. On the opposite side (control group), the same procedure was performed without lingual flap retraction.


RESULTS
Lingual nerve damage occurred in 9.1% in the experimental group in which lingual flap retraction was performed. In the control group, damage to the lingual nerve was not observed. The difference was statistically significant (P <.001) as measured by the Cochran test.


CONCLUSIONS
Lingual nerve retraction represented a risk factor to temporary lingual nerve damage during mandibular third molar surgery.
Gomes
Ana Cláudia Amorim
AC
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Pernambuco, Camaragibe, Brazil.
Vasconcelos
Belmiro Cavalcanti do Egito
BC
de Oliveira e Silva
Emanuel Dias
ED
da Silva
Luiz Carlos Ferreira
LC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020209:Cranial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries; D008334:Mandible; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery