Analysis of facial sensation using two-point discrimination

Kim, Han Soo; Choi, Sang Mook; Chung, Chan Min; Suh, In Seock

Abstract

Subjective changes in sensibility in the face are well recognized sequale to facial trauma, rhytidectomy, tumor resection, elective osteotomies, or treatment of trauma. And so, there are important to understand the sensory innervation of the face and to obtain normal values for objective quantification of facial Sensation. Normal values for facial sensibility were determined in 62 healthy adults using static and moving two-point discrimination in three major regions where are innervated areas by three branches of the trigerminal nerve. Materials of this study comprised 38 men and 24 women, 26 smokers and 36 nonsmokers. Authors excluded from materials if they had previous facial surgery, facial injuries or psychiatric disorders or were taking any prescribed medications. Median static two-point discrimination values were 6 mm in innervation area of the mental nerve, 8.2mm in innervation area of the infraorbital nerve, and 10mm in innevation area of the supraorbital nerve. The most sensitive areas innervated by each three branches of the trigerminal nerve were vermillion border of the lower lip (2PD = 3 mm), crossing area of 3 cm lateral to midline of the face and the infraorbital rim (2PD = 5.5 mm), crossing area of 3 cm lateral to midline of the face and the supraorbital rim (2PD = 4.5 mm). Smoking history proved to be an interesting variable in smokers were significantly less sensitive to two-point discrimination(p < 0.05). The map of sensation of the face produced as a result of this study can be used as a standard for sensory changes after facial trauma or surgical procedures in the face.