Postsurgical Paraesthesia in BSSO of the Mandible Following Preoperative Assessment of Position of Inferior Alveolar Nerve: A 5-year Follow-Up Study.

Introduction: The bilateral sagittal split osteotomy is a crucial aid in the correction of dentofacial abnormalities. The technique has been in practice since the late 1800s. In 2007, a study was published, in which the author performed bilateral sagittal split osteotomy on 26 patients with severe skeletal malocclusion. Objective: The article aims in displaying the follow-up of previous study at the intervals of three months, six months, one year, two years, three years, four years, five years using objective assessment of neurosensory responses. Methods: Preoperatively the anatomic location of inferior alveolar nerve was estimated using CT scans, the information derived from it was used intraoperatively, due to which the author and his team were successful to avoid damage to the inferior alveolar nerve during the procedure, hence reducing the risk of postoperative paresthesia. Conclusion: The article concludes by providing that preoperative evaluation of the anatomic location of the inferior alveolar nerve via CT scan, has helped to preserve inferior alveolar nerve completely during the surgery, thus displaying postoperative paresthesia in all the subjects of the study for as long as five years.