Which surgical procedure is most likely to damage the supraorbital nerve?

The supraorbital nerve is a branch of the frontal nerve and emerges from the orbit through the supraorbital notch or foramen, providing sensation to the forehead and scalp. During a subgaleal brow lift, the surgical approach involves elevation of the scalp and dissection in the forehead area, where the supraorbital nerve is located.

This procedure often requires a careful dissection around the forehead to achieve the desired aesthetic results, which puts the supraorbital nerve at risk due to its relatively superficial position. If the surgeon inadvertently transects or compresses this nerve during the dissection, it can lead to sensory loss or altered sensation in the areas innervated by the nerve.

The other procedures listed typically do not involve dissection in the forehead region where the supraorbital nerve is found, making them less likely to cause damage to this specific nerve. For instance, LeFort I osteotomy primarily affects the maxilla and surrounding structures, while temporalis flap elevation involves the temporal region and deep muscles of mastication, and mandibular osteotomy is focused on the mandible.

Therefore, the subgaleal brow lift is the surgical procedure that poses the greatest risk of injury to the supraorbital nerve due to its