Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2026 Aug 15;30(1):134. doi: 10.1007/s10006-026-01619-4.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Inferior alveolar nerve transection (IANT) is a severe complication of sagittal split osteotomy (SSO). This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the long-term sensory recovery in patients who experienced intraoperative IANT compared to those who did not.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study reviewed patients who underwent SSO from 2016 to 2022. Patients were divided into Group A (with IANT, 11 sides) and Group B (without IANT, 151 sides). Sensory perception was assessed using the Semmes-Weinstein (SW) test, static two-point discrimination (s-2PD) test, and a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at preoperative baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Mann-Whitney U and Dunnett’s tests were used for statistical analysis (p < .05).
RESULTS: Group A demonstrated significantly worse sensory outcomes than Group B on all tests at all postoperative time points (p < .01). In Group B, SW and s-2PD values were significantly worse than baseline at 1 and 3 months but showed no significant difference at 6 and 12 months. In contrast, Group A outcomes remained significantly impaired compared to their own preoperative baseline throughout the 12-month follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: Complete IANT during SSO, even with immediate nerve repair, results in a substantial and long-term persistent neurosensory deficit. While patients without nerve transection typically recover baseline sensory perception by 6 months, those with IANT experience only minimal improvement and remain significantly impaired at a year post-surgery.
PMID:42603212 | DOI:10.1007/s10006-026-01619-4
