What factors are associated with functional sensory recovery following lingual nerve repair?
OBJECTIVE
To identify factors associated with functional sensory recovery (FSR) after lingual nerve repair.


METHODS
This retrospective cohort study was composed of subjects who underwent lingual nerve repair from 2004 through 2010. The predictor variables were demographic, anatomic, and operative measurements. The primary outcome measurement was FSR (ie, FSR achieved, yes or no). The secondary outcome measurements were time to FSR and an improvement of at least 2 levels on the British Medical Research Council scale of neurosensory function. Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression statistics were computed to identify associations between the predictor variables and FSR. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify associations between the predictors and time to FSR. P ≤ .05 was considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
The sample was composed of 55 subjects with a mean age of 30.7 ± 11.2 years. The mean duration from injury to repair was 151.6 days (range, 41 to 384 days). Most patients (74.5%) achieved FSR postoperatively, with a mean time to FSR of 262.8 days (median, 208 days). Eighty-six percent of subjects showed an improvement of at least 2 levels on the British Medical Research Council scale. In multiple regression models, younger subjects were more likely to achieve FSR (odds ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.18; P = .02); subjects with better preoperative neurosensory function achieved FSR faster (hazard ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 3.1; P = .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients undergoing lingual nerve repair achieved FSR. Younger subjects were more likely to achieve FSR. Subjects with better preoperative neurosensory function achieved FSR faster.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Adam P
AP
Fagin
Srinivas M
SM
Susarla
Robert B
RB
Donoff
Leonard B
LB
Kaban
Thomas B
TB
Dodson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008036:Lingual Nerve / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009463:Neuroma / Q000601:surgery; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000601:surgery; D013697:Thermosensing / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult