Effects of low and short medial osteotomy on postoperative neurosensory disturbances after sagittal split ramus osteotomy: a split-mouth randomized study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare postoperative neurosensory disturbances between the Hunsuck–Epker and ‘low and short medial osteotomy’ (LASMO) modifications of the sagittal split ramus osteotomy. The study included 21 patients aged 18–35 years who presented with dentofacial deformities and sought orthognathic surgery. A split-mouth randomized clinical trial design was employed, with osteotomies performed using the Hunsuck–Epker modification on one side and the LASMO modification on the contralateral side (total 42 osteotomies). Evaluations of neurosensory alterations were conducted in a double-blind manner at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Various assessments were conducted, including tests for painful stimuli, two-point discrimination, pressure, and brush stroke direction. Additionally, subjective neurosensory recovery was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) scores reported by the patients. The results at 1, 3, and 6 months post-surgery indicated no significant difference between the two techniques for any of the parameters assessed (all P > 0.05). Furthermore, the patient-reported VAS scores at 6 months indicated no significant difference in neurosensory recovery between the two techniques (P = 0.67). In conclusion, the results of this study showed that there was no significant difference in neurosensory recovery between the LASMO modification and the Hunsuck–Epker modification.