A comparison of neurosensory alteration and recovery pattern among different types of orthognathic surgeries using the current perception threshold.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare postsurgical neurosensory alteration and recovery patterns among different nerve fiber types and orthognathic surgeries by measuring current perception thresholds (CPT).

STUDY

DESIGN

CPTs of 186 patients who underwent various orthognathic surgeries (Le Fort I or II, bilateral sagittal split [BSSRO] or intraoral vertico-sagittal [IVSRO] ramus osteotomy with or without genioplasty) were measured at 2000, 250, and 5 Hz, assessing 3 different nerve fiber types before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS

CPTs were highest at 3 months postsurgery and gradually returned to presurgical levels until 12 months postsurgery in most cases. CPT at 2000 Hz showed the largest amount of increase. Le Fort I and IVSRO caused less neurosensory alteration compared with Le Fort II and BSSRO, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our data provide nerve recovery patterns following various orthognathic surgeries that may be applied to evaluating the patient's severity and recovery of nerve damage.