Neurophysiological monitoring of alveolar nerve function during sensor-controlled Er:YAG laser corticotomy in rabbits.

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.