Mid-facial sensation following craniofacial surgery

Abstract

During mid-face advancement and correction of orbital dystopia, the infraorbital nerves are always stretched and displaced by the orbital floor osteotomies and bone displacement, and are at risk of damage. We have found no published work that has investigated the function of the infraorbital nerves following elective craniofacial procedures. In this study the cheek sensation and tooth sensibility in 20 patients who have had either mid-face advancement or correction of orbital dystopia was assessed. The function of the infraorbital nerve is largely undisturbed by the osteotomies and bone displacement performed during these procedures. A small proportion of patients could not feel cold in their anterior maxillary teeth, suggesting that there is damage to the anterior superior alveolar nerve branch of the infraorbital nerve.