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Neurophysiological monitoring of alveolar nerve function during sensor‐controlled Er:YAG laser corticotomy in rabbits
Author(s) -
Rupprecht Stephan,
TangermannGerk Katja,
SchultzeMosgau Stefan,
Neukam Friedrich W.,
Ellrich Jens
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.20133
Subject(s) - corticotomy , inferior alveolar nerve , medicine , stimulation , dentistry , molar
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. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.