Neurophysiological monitoring of alveolar nerve function during sensor-controlled Er:YAG laser corticotomy in rabbits

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The sensor-controlled Er:YAG laser system may be a potent tool for tissue specific cutting in surgery. In order to investigate the impact of the laser on neural tissues, inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) function was monitored by the jaw-opening reflex (JOR) during specific corticotomy in rabbits. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laser jaw corticotomy was performed in 13 anesthetized rabbits. During and after specific corticotomy the JOR was evoked by electric intraoral stimulation to monitor effects on IAN function. RESULTS: The JOR permanently abolished in one case and transiently failed immediately after surgery but largely recovered within days in another rabbit. In one experiment JOR threshold increased 7 days after corticotomy. Histology did not prove any objective nerve pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring IAN function by the JOR demonstrated the relatively low risk of nerve damaging during sensor-controlled laser corticotomy.