Prevalence and Risk Factors of Neurosensory Disturbances after Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy

Authors

  • Muslim Khan Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
  • Sana Mushtaq Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
  • Tariq Ahmad Assistant Professor, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65293/jbkcd.v3i02.72

Keywords:

Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy, Neurosensory Disturbance, Inferior Alveolar Nerve, Risk Factors

Abstract

Background: Bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) is a common orthognathic procedure used to correct mandibular deformities. However, neurosensory disturbance (NSD), particularly involving the inferior alveolar nerve, is a frequent postoperative complication. To determine the prevalence of NSD following BSSO and identify risk factors associated with persistent sensory impairment.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from January 2021 to December 2021.

Materials and Methods: A total of 140 patients undergoing BSSO were evaluated. Neurosensory function was assessed using standardized clinical sensory tests at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Demographic and perioperative variables, including age, gender, smoking status, systemic disease, and surgical duration, were recorded. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for persistent neurosensory disturbances at 1 year, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: The prevalence of NSD was 77.1% immediately after surgery, declining to 51.4% at 3 months, 27.1% at 6 months, and 11.4% at 1 year. Persistent NSD at 1 year occurred in 7.1% of patients. Significant associations were found with age >30 years (p = 0.013), smoking (p = 0.006), and surgical duration >120 minutes (p = 0.0003). Multivariate analysis identified prolonged surgical duration (AOR = 8.76), smoking (AOR = 5.42), and age >30 years (AOR = 4.85) as independent predictors of persistent NSD.

Conclusion: NSD is common complication among patients at OMFS department of KCD, Peshawar immediately after BSSO but substantially improves within 6 months. Persistent deficits are relatively low, with older age, smoking, and longer surgical duration increasing the risk.

Author Biography

Tariq Ahmad, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Corresponding Author: tariq.ahamd@kcd.edu.pk

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Published

2026-04-24

How to Cite

1.
Khan M, Mushtaq S, Ahmad T. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Neurosensory Disturbances after Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy. JBKCD [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 24 [cited 2026 Apr. 29];3(2):34-40. Available from: https://jbkcd.bkcd.edu.pk/index.php/website/article/view/72

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