Applications of trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials (TSEPs) in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The initial results of trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials (TSEPs) which were recorded in 17 patients, age range 16-64 years, presenting with established unilateral sensory impairment to the face or oral cavity, are described. Nerve potentials were evoked by stimulation of the normal healthy side and compared with those recorded from the side with disturbed sensation. The recorded waveforms allowed identification of a prominent sequence of events. Significant increases in the latencies compared to the events previously determined in normal subjects at 20, 30 and 39 msec. were found, and considered to be associated with clinical sensory impairment.