Abstract
Retrieval of the displaced mandibular third molar in the floor of the mouth is challenging
as the lingual nerve is always at risk of injury. However, there are no available
data to show the incidence of the injury caused by the retrieval. The goal of this
review article is to provide the incidence of the iatrogenic lingual nerve impairment/injury
caused by the retrieval based on the review of the existing literature. The retrieval
cases were collected with the search words below using PubMed, Google Scholar, and
CENTRAL Cochrane Library database on October 6, 2021. A total of 38 cases of lingual
nerve impairment/injury in 25 studies were eligible and reviewed. Temporary lingual
nerve impairment/injury due to retrieval was found in six cases (15.8%) and all recovered
between three to six months after retrieval. General anaesthesia and local anaesthesia
were used for retrieval in three cases each. The tooth was retrieved using a lingual
mucoperiosteal flap in all six cases. The permanent iatrogenic lingual nerve impairment/injury
due to retrieval of the displaced mandibular third molar is considered extremely rare
as long as the appropriate surgical approach is chosen based on surgeons’ clinical
experience and anatomical knowledge.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 24, 2023
Accepted:
January 18,
2023
Received in revised form:
December 9,
2022
Received:
June 15,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
