Evaluation of neurosensory disturbance in patients with craniofacial syndrome subjected to horizontal chin advancement

Background: Although neurosensory disturbances after genioplasty have been evaluated in different studies, standardization for testing and grading of neurosensory injuries is lacking. For this reason, the incidence of neurosensory disturbance varies from 0% to 100%, depending on the definition of nerve damage, the sensitivity of the diagnostic test method, and the follow-up period. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform an objective evaluation of the permanent neurosensory disturbances in patients who underwent horizontal chin advancement. Methods: A retrospective study of all patients who underwent horizontal chin advancement at the Hospital SOBRAPAR between 2009 and 2010 was conducted. The objective neurosensory assessment of the lower lip and chin was performed using 2 neurological tests, namely the Semmes–Weinstein pressure and thermal sensitivity tests. Permanent neurosensory disturbance was defined as abnormal clinical test results obtained at least 12 months after surgery. Results: Thirteen patients (8 with craniofacial syndrome) were evaluated. The prevalence of the patients who showed normal results for sensitivity to pressure/touch and thermal sensitivity (warm and cold; P < 0.05) was significantly high. The analysis of the data of the patients with craniofacial syndrome revealed that most of the patients had normal pressure sensitivity test results (P < 0.003). Results from the thermal sensitivity tests showed no significant difference between these patients (P = 0.317). No significant differences were observed between the anatomical regions with abnormal sen sitivity test results (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Tactile sensitivities of the lower lip and chin to pressure and temperature were preserved in most of the patients 12 months after horizontal chin advancement.