Frequency and Pattern of Presentation of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injuries After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Body of Mandible Fractures

Mandibular fractures account for one of the most common forms of facial trauma and fractures of the body of the mandible often involve injury to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), which has an anatomical association with the inferior alveolar canal. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is still widely accepted as a treatment method for mandibular fractures, but postoperative sensory disturbances of the inferior alveolar nerve are a major concern which can impact the patients' comfort and quality of life. These injuries to the nerves occur at different frequencies and in different patterns depending on several factors related to the patient, fracture and surgery. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency and pattern of presentation of inferior alveolar nerve injuries after open reduction and internal fixation of body of mandible fractures. This study is conducted in patients with fractures to the body of mandible who undergo open reduction and internal fixation. Some of the sensory disturbances evaluated in clinical examination of inferior alveolar nerve function are numbness, paresthesia, altered sensation, dysesthesia, pain, and complete sensory loss. Factors associated with inferior alveolar nerve injury are assessed based on patient demographics, fracture characteristics and surgical factors. This study provides evidence of inferior alveolar nerve injuries after ORIF of body of mandible fractures. Affected patients have different types of sensory disturbances: numbness, tingling sensation, altered sensation, pain or sensory loss. The incidence and extent of nerve injury vary by age, sex, fracture characteristics and surgical factors. Sensory recovery was observed to be different in patients with nerve related complications, with postoperative follow-up assessment. Injury to the inferior alveolar nerve is one of the potential complications of open reduction and fixation of fractures of the body of mandible. These factors are critical in minimizing complications and optimizing outcomes of surgical procedures, so appropriate surgical planning, careful handling of anatomical structures and frequent postoperative neurosensory assessment are essential.