Microsurgical reconstruction of lingual nerve in 130 patients without nerve grafting

Lingual Nerve Injury (LNI) typically results in loss of sensation and pain, which can significantly impact social life and cause personal discomfort. Microsurgical reconstruction of the lingual nerve (LN) has been shown to alleviate these symptoms, leading to satisfactory functional recovery. Between January 2009 and December 2023, 149 patients underwent direct microneurorrhaphy of the LN, with 130 patients meeting our inclusion criteria. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and one year postoperatively using clinical and neurophysiological assessments (Trigeminal Sensitivity Test) to evaluate Residual Tactile Capacity (RTC), Residual Pain Capacity (RPC), and Masseteric Inhibitory Reflex (MIR). Additionally, all patients completed a postoperative questionnaire twelve months after surgery to assess quality of life. The analysis showed an increase in RTC in 115 patients, a decrease in 5 cases, and no change in 10 cases. RPC improved in 115 patients, decreased in 2 cases, and remained unchanged in 13 cases. Complete recovery of MIR was observed in 17 patients. In the remaining cases, increased latencies of Sp1 and Sp2 were recorded, but these changes were consistent with functional recovery.