Evaluation of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injury Following Mandibular Surgery

Damage to the inferior alveolar nerve is a significant complication of mandibular surgery and particularly after surgery in the area of the mandibular canal. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence, risk factors, severity and recovery rate of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) injury after mandibular surgery. This was a retrospective observational study that included 60 patients who were admitted in a major teaching hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, from January to June 2025 and whose follow-up records were analyzed for a maximum of six months. All the clinical, radiographic, operative and postoperative neurosensory data were gathered from hospital records and statistically analyzed. 14 patients out of 60 had suffered an injury of the inferior alveolar nerve with an overall incidence of 23.3%. Close Canal proximity, Cortical Border interruption, Canal narrowing, High risk CBCT findings, Prolonged operative time, High surgical difficulty, Bone removal and Intra-operative canal exposure were significant factors associated with injury. The neurosensory disturbances in most cases gradually improved with 64.3% of the injured cases fully recovered at 6 months. The authors summarized that careful radiographic examination, surgical planning, and structured neurosensory evaluation postoperatively is crucial to minimize the risk of nerve injury and enhance outcomes.