A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Risk Factors for Hypoesthesia after Repair of Facial Fractures

Background: Hypoesthesia occurs as a result of injuries resulting in injury to the nerve fibres. The causes of injury include direct harm from the needle injections, around the nerve fibres, mechanical injuries resulting in an indirect pressure into the mandibular canal, during the dental surgical procures, as well as the toxicity of the local anaesthetic agents.

Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted by recruiting N=79 adult individuals (>18 years), who had visited the district hospital for acquiring clinical assistance and treatment of facial muscles or nerve-related complications in August 2020. Data collection for this research was carried out by using a specially designed questionnaire, which facilitated in acquiring data related to aetiology of trauma, identification of the hypoesthesia area, as well as the clinical complications experienced by the respondents. The clinical reports of the patients were also collected for analysing the hypoesthesia area. SPSS was utilised for data analysis, and statistical tests were conducted for assessing the risk factors for hypoesthesia after repair of facial fractures.

Results: The statistical tests revealed that only a small percentage of the sample population, i.e., (N=9) or 11.8% experienced the facial bone fracture, male respondents had more exposure to the facial bone fractures, as compared to the females (Mean=1.81, SD= 0.397), and the individuals below 25 years of age had high exposure of facial bone fracture (Mean=1.78, SD= 0.428). A significant majority of hypoesthesia cases were at mandible, and orbit region.

Conclusion: The dental treatment resulting in nerve manipulation results in nerve elongation, nerve compression, contributing to transient hypoesthesia. Hypoesthesia might also lead to other clinical complications.