[Incidence and regeneration time of disorders of the inferior alveolar nerve in osteosynthesis of mandibular fractures--a prospective clinical study].

In a prospective study posttraumatic and postoperative sensitivity disturbances after mandible fractures in the region of osseous course of the inferioralveolar nerve were assessed. The study contains 28 patients with 31 mandible fractures. For assessment somato sensoric evoked potentials and computer assisted pain and thermal sensitivity testing was used. A rate of 32% posttraumatic and 52% nerve disturbances resulting from osteosynthesis was found. In 81% the sensitivity disturbances lasted only 6 months post-operatively. In 19%, mainly cases of fracture dislocation of 5 mm minimum, anesthesia and hypesthesia lasted for more than half a year.