Sensory nerve disturbance following Le Fort I osteotomy

Abstract

This study assessed sensory nerve disturbance after Le Fort I osteotomy using the electric pulp test, pin-prick sensation, fine touch, and cold sensation. After 6 months, 78% of teeth positive preoperatively to an electric pulp tester regained sensitivity. Return of palatal sensation was affected by whether or not the greater palatine nerve (GPN) was divided during surgery. After 6 months, where the GPN was intact, all patients had fine touch sensation (88% at the preoperative level), and all had pin-prick sensation (97% at preoperative level). When the GPN was divided, all patients had fine touch sensation (13% at preoperative level), and all had pin-prick sensation (63% at preoperative level). The differences in the return to preoperative sensation were significant for fine touch (P=0.0001++) and for pin-prick (P-0.03) by chi-square analysis. Sensation returned more quickly and more completely in the two cases where the contralateral GPN was intact. In the buccal mucosa, 95% of patients regained some fine touch sensation after 6 months, but none returned to the preoperative level. Similarly, 85% regained some pin-prick sensation, but none achieved preoperative levels. Cold sensation, pin-prick sensation, and fine touch on the face returned to the preoperative level in all patients by 6 weeks postoperatively.