A prospective cohort study evaluating subjective and objective neurosensory changes following LeFort I osteotomy

This study aimed to investigate the incidence and recovery of neurosensory deficit (NSD) after LeFort I osteotomy over 12 months and identify any association between age, gender, and extent of surgical movement on recovery. Furthermore, the study explored the relationship between objective and subjective outcome measures.

A prospective cohort study consisting of 31 patients. Subjects were assessed at baseline, 1 week (T1), 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months (T5) after LeFort I osteotomy. Objective assessment measures included pinprick (PP), static light touch (SLT), static 2-point discrimination (STPD), and electric pulp testing (EPT). Subjective reporting was undertaken using a visual analog scale. Patients rated the impact of NSD on intraoral and extraoral sites at the same time points as for objective measures.

Twenty-eight patients (16 females and 12 males) with a mean age of 24.5 years (standard deviation, 7.4) completed the study. There was a notable reduction in NSD from T1 (85.7%) to T5 (17.9%). No significant differences were found with respect to the influence of gender; PP (P = 0.06), SLT (P = 0.10), STPD (P = 0.65) and EPT (P = 0.19) or extent of surgical movement; PP (P = 0.50), SLT (P = 0.72), STPD (P = 0.06) and EPT (P = 0.74) on NSD. Age is a significant factor for intraoral NSD in the immediate postoperative period; PP (P < 0.0001) and SLT (P < 0.0001). Subjectively, patients reported a high degree of concern associated with NSD immediately after surgery with a gradual reduction from T1 to T5. There is a significant difference in subjective reporting between those with intraoral NSD than those with no intraoral NSD at 12 months (P = 0.031).

NSD is high after LeFort I surgery, particularly intraorally in the palate. At 12 months, the incidence of NSD is 17.9%. Recovery of NSD to a nonsignificant value from baseline takes up to 3 months for extraoral sites and between 3 and 6 months for intraoral soft tissues. The maxillary dentition continues to recover from NSD up to 12 months postsurgery. Age, gender, and extent of the surgical movement do not influence the extent of NSD at 12 months. Increasing age is associated with increased NSD at intraoral sites immediately after surgery. Intraoral NSD is more of a concern to patients than extraoral NSD. Patients' concerns associated with NSD reduced over time, demonstrating a degree of adaptation in the longer term.