• Yi Luo, Peter Svensson, Janek Dalsgaard Jensen, Thomas Jensen, Bjarne Neuman, Lars Arendt-Nielsen, and Kelun Wang.
• J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2014 Jan 1;28(4):306-16.

AimsTo (1) quantitatively investigate the possible long-term surgical impact of orthognathic surgery on the patients' trigeminal somatosensory functions and (2) investigate the influence of ongoing pain on the trigeminal somatosensory functions of the patients.MethodsA group of patients before orthognathic surgery (Pre-op), a group of patients 1 year after orthognathic surgery (Post-op), and a group of control participants (Control) were recruited (n = 28 in each group). A standardized quantitative sensory testing protocol was followed to record a battery of 13 parameters, which reflect both sensory loss and gain. The data were analyzed using three-way repeated measure analysis of variance with group and pain as between-subject factors and testing site as within-subject factor.ResultsIn the Post-op group, of the 21.4% patients who reported ongoing pain after surgery, 7.1% were diagnosed with neuropathic pain and 14.3% had musculoskeletal pain. Facial cold detection threshold (CDT) of the Post-op group was significantly lower (less sensitive) than that of the Pre-op group (P < .039). Facial pressure pain threshold (PPT) of the Post-op group was significantly lower (more sensitive) than that of the Pre-op and Control groups (P < .006). Masseter PPT of the Postop group was significantly lower than that of the Control group (P = .02). The facial vibration detection threshold (VDT) of the Post-op group was significantly higher (less sensitive) than that of the Pre-op and Control groups (P < .014). Pain patients in the Post-op group showed significantly elevated VDT compared to patients without pain (P < .001).ConclusionThe pattern of sensory alteration in orthognathic surgical patients with or without pain was characterized by sensory loss in thermal parameters and non-nociceptive mechanosensory parameters and sensory gain in nociceptive mechanosensory parameters. The elevated VDT might be a potential indicator of the impact of postoperative pain on trigeminal somatosensory functions.

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