Facial skin sensibility in a young healthy chinese population

Abstract

Objective: To quantify normal neurosensory facial sensibility in a young healthy Chinese population for use as a reference when evaluating postoperative nerve damage. Study design: One hundred consecutive eligible normal young Chinese individuals were included. Each subject underwent objective neurosensory testing (static light touch, 2-point static, and pain detection thresholds) at 8 facial sites within the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Data were calculated into means and standard deviations, and paired t tests were used to compare values between the left and right sides and quadrants; unpaired t test was used to compare the values between genders. A P value of ≤.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The chin region was least sensitive to light touch detection, and the normal thresholds ranged from 1.72 to 1.80. The infraorbital areas were least sensitive for 2-point discrimination, and the normal values for this modality ranged from 7.04 mm to 11.87 mm. Infraorbital areas were also most resistant to pain, and normal values ranged from 13.17 g to 20.30 g. There was no statistically significant difference between facial sides or quadrants. Male subjects were found to have a higher pain detection threshold, especially in the chin and the right infraorbital areas. Conclusion: Reference values for normal facial sensibility in the form of objective neurosensory testing scores have been documented for a healthy Chinese population. These results provide baseline data for future surgical studies in this and similar populations. © 2009 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.