Assessment of the Impact of Different Surgical Techniques on Nerve Function and Sensation after Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract

Background: One potential long-term side effect of surgery in the oral and maxillofacial region is neurosensory impairment. Due to their physical proximity to the surgical location, the lingual nerve (LN) and inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), two sensory segments of the trigeminal nerve, are always susceptible to damage during third molar extraction. Aim: Assessment of the impact of different surgical techniques on nerve function and sensation after maxillofacial surgery. Methods and Materials: There was retrieval of information from medical records of study participants regarding the presence of symptoms like paresthesia, numbness, loss of sensation in lower lip, difficulty in movement of tongue, and all other findings observed after 7 days of surgical procedures. Clinically neurosensory examinations were utilized to assess nerve damage. Pinprick testing and the two-point discrimination test were used. Results: Seven male patients were found to have damage to LN while nine males suffered damage to trigeminal nerve. 12 female patients were found to have damage to LN while 16 females suffered damage to trigeminal nerve. In total 19 patients suffered damage to LN while 25 patients suffered damage to trigeminal nerve. Conclusion: The incidence of LN damage was 9.5%, and the incidence of trigeminal nerve damage was 12.5%.

Keywords

• maxillofacial region
• nerve damage
• surgery