J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2017 Apr;43(2):88-93. 10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.2.88.

Two-dimensional and volumetric airway changes after bimaxillary surgery for class III malocclusion

• Vaezi T
• Zarch SH
• Eshghpour
• Kermani H

• KMID: 2377011
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.2.88

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Any change in maxilla and mandible position can alter the upper airway, and any decrease in the upper airway can cause sleep disorders. Thus, it is necessary to assess airway changes after repositioning of the maxilla and mandible during orthognathic surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate linear and volumetric changes in the upper airway after bimaxillary surgery to correct class III malocclusion via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to identify correlations between linear and volumetric changes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a prospective cohort study. CBCTs from 10 class III patients were evaluated before surgery and three months after. The Wilcoxon one-sample test was used to evaluate the differences in measurements before and after surgery. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between linear and volumetric changes.
RESULTS
The results show that the nasopharyngeal space increased significantly, and that this increase correlated with degree of maxillary advancement. No significant changes were found in volumes before and after surgery. A correlation was found between linear and volumetric oropharyngeal changes.
CONCLUSION
Bimaxillary surgical correction of class III malocclusion did not cause statistically significant changes in the posterior airway space.

Keyword

Malocclusion; Upper airway; Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery; Computed tomography

MeSH Terms

Cohort Studies
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Humans
Malocclusion*
Mandible
Maxilla
Orthognathic Surgery
Prospective Studies
Sleep Wake Disorders

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 NPV (nasopharyngeal volume): area between the airway roof and the plane crossing the posterior nasal spine (PNS), perpendicular to the sagittal plane; OPV (oropharyngeal volume): area between the NPV and the plane crossing the tip of the epiglottis, perpendicular to the sagittal plane; HPV (hypopharyngeal volume): area between the OPV and the plane crossing the vallecula, perpendicular to the sagittal plane.

• 

  Fig. 2 Refer to Table 2 for the definition of landmarks.

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