OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of mandibular distraction osteogenesis on inferior alveolar nerve function.

METHODS16 young Macaca rhesus monkeys were used as experiment animals. 5 days after mandibular osteotomy under general anesthesia, 10 male monkeys were distracted at right side and 6 females were bilaterally distracted at a rate of 0.5 mm x 2/day, for 15 days. The mandible was lengthened to an average of 13.5 mm. The Sensory Nerve Action Potential (SNAP) test was successfully applied in 16 monkeys before operation and at 0, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after distraction finished. Eight-channel EMG equipment was used for SNAP wave recording. The recordings were made with needle electrodes at foramen ovale and the stimulation was done at the mental foramen with two surface electrodes. The metal ground electrode was fixed on the right forearm. The stimulation intensities were five times of thresholds of each animal. The latency was measured at the first wave peak and the amplitude was measured between two wave peaks.

RESULTSJust after distraction finished, the latency period was 22.18% longer than before operation and gradually shortened as time lapsed. When distraction finished, the amplitude of SNAP wave was only 28.54% of that before operation, and after 12 weeks, it increased to the level of 99.84% of that before operation.

CONCLUSIONSThe mandibular distraction osteogenesis has temporary influence on the function of inferior alveolar nerve, but it is little and reversible, along with the regeneration of nerve sheath and axon, the nerve function can gradually return to normal level.