Neurosensory disturbance associated with the anterior mandibular horizontal osteotomy

Fifteen patients who underwent an anterior mandibular horizontal osteotomy (genioplasty) were retrospectively studied by neurosensory testing to evaluate light touch (LT) and temperature (T) discrimination. Testing was conducted using the two-alternative forced choice method. Density of a neurosensory disturbance (NSD), when it occurred, was also evaluated. A questionnaire was administered to determine if patients with a NSD perceived that their quality of life was adversely affected. The incidence of NSD was 3.4% (one of 30) to LT and 0% (none of 30) to T. The one abnormal mental nerve with a NSD to LT was moderately dense, but was not perceived by the patient as adversely affecting her quality of life.