Nerve injury associated with orthognathic surgery. Part 3: lingual, infraorbital, and optic nerves.

In the final paper of this 3-part series we review the incidence of injuries to the lingual, infraorbital, and optic nerves during orthognathic operations. We know of few published studies on the incidence of injuries to the lingual or infraorbital nerves, but in most cases they are thought to result from traction and are predominantly temporary. The incidence of permanent injury to the lingual nerve was 2/100 patients (95% CI 1 to 3/100) or 0/100 nerves (95% CI 0 to 1/100). The methods used to assess injury to the infraorbital nerve differed so it was not possible to calculate the incidence. Injuries to the optic nerve, although rare, have a considerable impact on the patients affected.