Tongue Size and Posterior Airway Space Changes in Class III Malocclusion After Maxillomandibular Surgery: A...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in the airway space after surgical correction of Class III skeletal dentofacial deformity and to determine if orthognathic surgery alters the airway space and improves obstructive sleep apnea. Twenty-four Class III adults treated with orthognathic surgery were divided into two groups as Mandibular set-back (Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy-BSSO, 10 patients) and two jaw surgery (Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy combined with Le Fort I maxillary advancement, 14 patients). Lateral cephalometric radiographs were traced before (T0) and 6 months after surgery (T1). Steiner and McNamara analysis, linear pharyngeal airway measurements (PNS-PPW1, SPT-PPW2, E-PPW3, PNS-SPT), tongue volume measurements (TH, Tt-Eb) and pharyngeal area measurements (nasopharyngeal, upper oropharyngeal, lower oropharyngeal, epiglottis area) were performed. The data obtained was analyzed statistically by repeated measurement ANOVA and Duncan's test. The increase of PNS-PPW1 was important in two jaw surgery group (p < 0.05). The nasopharyngeal area was statistically different between T0 and T1 (p < 0.01), and the lower oropharyngeal area was statistically significant between BSSO and two jaw surgery groups (p < 0.05). Surgical correction of Class III skeletal dentofacial deformity alters posterior airway dimensions. Two jaw surgery is advantageous considering the risk for obstructive sleep apnea, because it evokes an increase in the upper pharyngeal airway dimensions. Keywords: Tongue size, posterior airway space, maxillomandibular surgery.