Abstract
Introduction
Post-operative nerve injury following mandibular third molar (M3M) potentially impacts
a significant number of patients. A lack of consensus for the management of trigeminal
nerve injuries exists. It is important to know how clinicians manage these injuries,
and how confidently.
Methods
A 16-question online survey using SurveyMonkey was developed and sent to all current
UK members of three Oral Surgery related societies (ABAOMS, BAOS and BAOMS) from January
2021 to March 2021. The survey consisted of open free text, binomial and variable
scale responses related to the management of inferior alveolar nerve and lingual nerve
injuries.
Results
A total of 158 clinicians responded to the survey. The average number of M3M removed
monthly over the last three years by a clinician was 25. The average number of nerve
injuries seen in a clinician’s practice, within the last three years, was three. Over
two-thirds of respondents were only somewhat confident, not so confident or not at
all confident in the management of patients with inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and
lingual nerve (LN) injury. In occurrence of an injury, only 45% stated they would
make an onward referral and a minority of clinicians had access to surgical repair
within their own unit. Free text responses highlighted themes of a lack of UK awareness
of management interventions and pathways for these patients.
Conclusion
Clear national guidance on managing trigeminal nerve injuries was a commonly desired
theme from responding clinicians. Joint speciality partnerships and a national nerve
repair registry is now required.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: February 02, 2022
Accepted:
January 26,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
