Recovery of infraorbital nerve function after zygomaticomaxillary cheek pedicled flap

The zygomaticomaxillary cheek pedicled flap (ZMCF) involves the intentional section of the infraorbital nerve to reflect the flap laterally in order to give access to the rhinopharynx, clivus and upper cervical spine. The aim of this trial was to examine the recovery of sensation of the infraorbital nerve, both quantitatively (touch sensation, localisation test, two-point discrimination) and qualitatively (sharp/blunt test, temperature sensation, pain sensitivity, dental sensitivity) in 7 patients, at least 12 months after surgery. In each patient, four cutaneous areas (lower eyelid, nose ala, upper lip, cheek) and the upper vestibulum were tested. Results of each test in all the examined areas were evaluated and compared with the data obtained on the nonoperated side (control side). Results of neurosensory tests indicated good recovery of sensation with little difference in comparison with the control side, showing that the functional consequence of ZMCF should actually be considered only as a transitory event.