Prognostic Factors for Functional Recovery after Lingual Nerve Reconstruction Using an Artificial Nerve Conduit

Background Lingual nerve injury following dental procedures, such as lower third molar extractions, can cause significant sensory deficits. For patients with persistent severe symptoms, surgical reconstruction of the lingual nerve using a nerve conduit is often considered. However, the degree of recovery varies, the significance of the nerve gap distance and the optimal timing of intervention remain subjects of ongoing debate. Objectives Using the Medical Research Council Scale (MRCS) as a standardized measure of sensory function, this study aims to clarify the effects of the timing of surgery, nerve gap length, and other potential prognostic factors on nerve functional recovery. Methods This study retrospectively analyzed a cohort of patients who underwent lingual nerve repair surgery. The MRCS score was used as an outcome variable to assess postoperative recovery. Predictors included time to surgery, nerve gap length, age, sex, and the presence or absence of diabetes. Statistical analyses included both ordinal logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between each predictor and the postoperative MRCS score. Results Ordinal logistic regression analysis showed no statistically significant correlation between the time to surgery or nerve gap length and postoperative recovery based on the MRCS score. Furthermore, to clarify the clinical significance, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. The results indicated a statistically significant association between a shorter time to surgery and a favorable prognosis. Conclusion Early surgical intervention and accurate identification of the injured nerve are considered crucial factors for improving postoperative sensory recovery following lingual nerve injury. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.