Quantitative sensory tests before and 1(1/2) years after orthognathic surgery: a cross-sectional study

Quality control is very important in relation to invasive and lengthy treatments, such as integrated orthodontic and surgical correction of dentofacial deformities. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare self-reported somatosensory disturbances and quantitative sensory testing (QST) findings between two groups of patients and a healthy control group (n = 24); one group (n = 21) scheduled for bimaxillary orthognathic surgery (BOS) (pre-op) and one group (n = 24) examined 1(1/2) years after BOS (post-op). Self-reported data on pain and somatosensory disturbances were collected, and QST was performed at six trigeminal and one extratrigeminal site. Sensitivity to brush stroke, tactile stimuli, pinprick, two-point-discrimination threshold (2P-DT), pinch pain threshold (PiPT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) was evaluated. Results were analysed with anovas, Spearman's Correlation, and chi square tests. Eight per cent of post-op patients reported intra-oral, 46% extra-oral, and 46% no somatosensory disturbances. Sensitivity to brush stroke, pinprick and 2P-DT was significantly increased at all examination sites in the post-op patients compared with healthy controls (P < 0.002). Tactile thresholds and PPT did not differ between groups (P > 0.071). Pinch pain threshold were decreased in pre-op patients compared with controls (P < 0.040). Self-reported somatosensory disturbances were not correlated with QST findings. In conclusion; 1(1/2) years after BOS, a large proportion of patients reported somatosensory disturbances and was hypersensitive to mechanical stimuli when compared with pre-op patients and healthy controls. Pre-op patients showed minor somatosensory changes. In addition to patients serving as their own control in prospective studies, a healthy control group and extratrigeminal control sites should be included in future studies.