Oral surgery: part 4. Minimising and managing nerve injuries and other complications

Many post-operative complications can be avoided with good patient selection, training and surgical planning. Obtaining explicit patient consent is also an essential component of treatment. The most significant complications from oral surgical interventions are iatrogenic trigeminal nerve injuries, which can result in permanent altered sensation and pain, causing considerable functional and psychological disability. This paper provides some useful suggestions on minimising the risks of these injuries. By understanding the risk factors and modifying the resulting intervention, more of these injuries may be prevented.