A new evaluation method for neurosensory disturbance in the chin of patients undergoing mandibular sagittal split ramus osteotomy: an application of the heat flux technique.

OBJECTIVE

To examine neurosensory changes in the chin following bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) using the heat flux technique.

STUDY

DESIGN

Twelve healthy adults (C-group) and 23 patients undergoing BSSRO (P-group) were examined. The warm sense threshold (WHF) and cold sense threshold (CHF) in the chin of these patients were measured by the heat flux technique. In the P-group, touch sensation also was measured with a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (SW test).

RESULTS

Both WHF and CHF were significantly larger in the P-group than in the C-group (P = .024). Touch sensation (VAS and SW test) were damaged in some patients of the P-group. However, no correlation was revealed between thermal sensation (WHF and CHF) and touch sensation (VAS and SW test) in the P-group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the thermal sensation in the chin was damaged after BSSRO. The heat flux technique appears to be one of the useful methods for the examination of neurosensory disturbance in the chin.