Risk factors affecting somatosensory function after sagittal split osteotomy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate potential individual and intraoperative risk factors associated with bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) and to correlate the findings with postoperative changes in somatosensory function.


METHODS
A total of 18 men and 29 women (mean age, 31 +/- 10 years) scheduled for BSSO participated in 1 session before BSSO and 5 sessions after BSSO (at 2 and 14 days and 3, 6, and 12 months). At each session, subjective oral sensation was scored and quantitative sensory tests were performed.


RESULTS
The results showed that complete exposure and free dissection of the inferior alveolar nerve during BSSO increased self-reported changes in lower lip sensation and lower lip tactile threshold after BSSO (P < .01). Long surgical movements reduced self-perceived jaw-opening function and impaired 2-point discrimination (P < .05). Significant correlations were noted between preoperative values for somatosensory function and changes in these variables after BSSO. Patients with low sensory thresholds before BSSO experienced more impairment than those patients with higher preoperative sensory thresholds.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings imply that somatosensory function after BSSO is dependent on both intraoperative risk factors and preoperative sensation levels.
Thygesen
Torben H
TH
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. tthyg@as.aaa.dk
Bardow
Allan
A
Helleberg
Malene
M
Norholt
Sven Erik
SE
Jensen
John
J
Svensson
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008046:Lip / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries