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Anaesthesia of the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves following subcondylar fractures of the mandible

Journal Contribution - Journal Article

A retrospective chart review of 387 patients with condylar and subcondylar fractures revealed 2 cases of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and lingual nerve (LN) anaesthesia following the subcondylar fracture. Only 5 cases have been reported previously. The mechanism of action remains unknown but a review of the literature and an analysis of 120 dry human skulls supported the hypothesis that compression of the mandibular nerve at a high level, close to the foramen ovale, could cause anaesthesia. This complication is rare, because it requires compression at a particular angle. The antero-median angulation of the condyle must be close to the foramen ovale, and the fracture must be a unilaterally displaced fracture. The presence of an enlarged lateral pterygoid plate appeared to enhance the risk of compression. The IAN and LN anaesthesia could be resolved after open reduction of the fracture and IAN and LN anaesthesia constitute a strict indication for an early open fracture reduction. (C) 2013 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Journal: JOURNAL OF CRANIO-MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
ISSN: 1010-5182
Issue: 7
Volume: 41
Pages: e137 - e145
Publication year:2013
Keywords:Subcondylar fracture, Entrapment, Inferior alveolar nerve damage, Complication, Compression, Lingual nerve, subcondylar fracture, entrapment, inferior alveolar nerve damage, complication, compression, lingual nerve
BOF-keylabel:yes
IOF-keylabel:yes
BOF-publication weight:1
CSS-citation score:1
Authors from:Higher Education, Hospital
Accessibility:Open