Sensory impairment following sagittal split osteotomy for correction of mandibular retrognathism.

Sagittal split osteotomy of the mandibular ramus is performed in close proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve and may result in postoperative neurosensory disturbances. Intraoperative strain on the nerve and other complications in 25 patients undergoing bilateral sagittal split osteotomy were recorded. Neurosensory testing was carried out before and after surgery. The patients reported sensory disturbances in 54% of sites 4 days postoperatively and 42% and 34% of sites at 9 weeks and 6 months, respectively. Objective assessments showed an incidence of 34% at 4 days, 20% at 9 weeks, and 8% at 6 months. Sensory disturbance was closely related to the degree of intraoperative strain on the nerve.