Cephalometric evaluation of oropharyngeal airway dimension changes in pre- and postadenoidectomy cases

The aim is to compare and evaluate the airway dimension changes, adenoidal nasopharyngeal ratio (ANR), airway area and airway percentage in patients in pre- and postadenoidectomy with normal individuals.

After obtaining informed consent, a sample of 15 patients (eight males and seven females) of 7 to 12 years were selected for adenoidectomy by an otolaryngologist, lateral cephalograms were taken in natural head position before adenoidectomy and after 1 month postadenoidectomy. Statastical analysis was done to evaluate the results using Statastical Package for Social Sciences. Results showed airway (P1, P2, P3, P4), airway percentage, airway area showed significant increase (p < 0.0001), whereas ANR showed significant reduction after 1 month postadenoidectomy.

One month postadenoidectomy showed increased airway area, airway percentage and reduced ANR.

Obstructive mouth breathing due to adenoids in growing children can cause alteration in craniofacial morphology leading to adenoid facies, adenoidectomy procedure helps in alleviating the obstruction and facilitates the normal growth of craniofacial complex.