An anatomical variation of mental nerve and foramen in a trauma patient

A 44-year-old male patient was referred to our clinic with mandibular fracture, one month after a maxillofacial trauma due to altercation. Fracture of left side of mandibular body was established with x-ray and physical examination. Patient was operated under general anesthesia. Intraoral incision was made on the left gingivolabial sulcus, then periosteum elevated. Subperiosteal dissection was performed carefully in order to prevent mental nerve damage. On the left side, below the premolar teeth level two mental nerves emerging from two different mental foramina was observed. Two nerves were almost in the same diameter. One of the mental foramina was located more anterior and superiorly (Figures 1 & 2). Fracture at the left side of mandibular body was fully exposed. The fracture site was highly comminuted and there were evidence of ostemyelitis. For this reason, internal fixation with miniplates and screws was not considered. All necrotic tissues were removed. Occlusion was re-established and maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) was done. Both nerves were preserved during surgical procedures. Baris SAHIN [1] Heval Selman OZKAN [2] Metin GORGU [3]