Objective:

to analyze and compare the current modalities of microsurgical reconstruction (autografts, allografts, and nerve ducts) to achieve functional sensory recovery (RSF) in repairs of the inferior alveolar nerve (NAI) and lingual nerve (NL).

Materials and Methods:

a literature review was performed to identify studies related to NAI and NL reconstructions. The studies included provided a defined sample size, microsurgical reconstruction modality, and RSF rates. A test of proportions was performed to find out if there were statistically significant differences (P <0.05) between the mentioned reconstruction modalities.

Results:

9 studies were selected and analyzed that resulted in a sample of 130 reconstructions of NAI and 102 of NL. Among the NAI reconstructions, autografts and allografts were found to be better in achieving an RSF than the nerve ducts (P of 0.033 and 0.0397 respectively). Among the NL reconstructions, no statistically significant differences were found. And when comparing reconstructions using autografts with allografts, there were no statistically significant differences for NAI and NL.

Conclusions:

Reconstructions using allografts and autografts have equivalent and better RSF rates than nerve conduits. Furthermore, with the use of allografts, comorbidities associated with the donor site are avoided.

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