title: Meta-analysis of the Incidence of Lingual Nerve Deficits After Mandibular Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy is a relatively common maxillofacial surgical procedure. The most commonly reported complication is neurosensory disturbances (NSD). The inferior alveolar nerve is by far the most commonly affected but sporadic reports of NSD of the lingual nerve also exist. The aim of this meta-analysis is to estimate the incidence of lingual nerve NSD following bilateral sagittal split osteotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of the English literature was conducted in February 2015 including several databases and using numerous MeSH terms. Article selection was based on preset criteria. Then pertinent data were collected and the incidence of the complications was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three articles were included in the meta-analysis. Incidence rates ranged between 0.3% and 18% with a pooled incidence of 0.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lingual nerve NSD is an infrequent complication of bilateral sagittal split osteotomy. Fortunately, the complication usually resolves within 1 year of the procedure.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia†Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine-Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt‡Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shawky
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mosleh
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: Fatima M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Jadu
mesh_terms: D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008036:Lingual Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D059229:Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications