Vulnerability of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve and Mental Nerve During Genioplasty: An Anatomic Study

Microgenia or "small chin" is corrected by various techniques, such as insertion of an alloplastic implant, cartilage or bone grafting, or horizontal advancement osteotomy. Horizontal recession osteotomy is used in macrogenia. Particularly in a microgenic mandible, the mental foramen is unexpectedly nearer to the inferior border of the body. During sliding horizontal osteotomy of the mentum, the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and mental nerve are vulnerable to an injury. Thirty fresh hemimandibles were used for a study of the IAN. The IAN course was traced by serial sections at intervals of 5 mm. In 50 dry specimens the direction of the mandibular canal was evaluated by the photographs with a stick put into the mental foramen. The IAN in mandibular canal runs above the lower one-third of the mandibular body. The terminal mandibular canal locates at an average of 4.5 mm under the mental foramen, advances 5.0 mm anteriorly, loops, and ends at the foramen. The direction of the mandibular canal at the mental foramen was 39.4 degrees lateral, 67.2 degrees superior, and 80.2 degrees posterior. It is advisable for surgeons to keep the level of sliding osteotomy of the mentum at least 4.5 mm below the mental foramen to spare the IAN.