Repair of the inferior alveolar nerve with a forearm cutaneous nerve graft after ablative surgery of the mandible

Purpose: A method of autologous nerve grafting for repair of the inferior alveolar nerve after mandibular resection using a forearm cutaneous nerve is described. Patients and Methods: The lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm served as the donor nerve, and the graft was inserted microsurgically using an epineurial nerve suture technique in 6 subjects. Return of sensation in these 6 patients was measured by the use of Semmes-Weinstein method. Results: Sensibility of the lower lip and chin recovered after about 10 months in all 6 subjects. Conclusion: The lateral branch of the forearm cutaneous nerve is a useful graft for repair of the inferior alveolar nerve after mandibular resection in which a forearm flap is used as part of the reconstruction. (C) 2000 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.