[Nerve dysfunctions following mandibular surgery on an outpatient basis]

The extent and reversibility of any functional impairment of the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves are important criteria for establishing the indication for microsurgical reconstruction. Postoperative dysfunctions were observed by 31.4% of 384 patients operated in the posterior segment of the lower jaw. In more than half of these cases the dysfunctions disappeared after 8 weeks. After 6 months the remission tendency was very slight. After a mean 4 years following operation 6% of the patients reported subjective disorders. Impaired functions were demonstrated objectively in 11.4% of the cases. The phenomenon of adaptation seems to play an important part. Only 2 patients would have desired further surgical treatment.