Postsurgical Volumetric Airway Changes in Class III Patients Receiving Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery

Nurettin Diker; Giovanni Cunha; Fued Samir Salmen; Eduardo Santana; Mario Gabrielli

doi:10.1097/SCS.0000000000010156

Postsurgical Volumetric Airway Changes in Class III Patients Receiving Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery

J Craniofac Surg. 2024 Apr 29. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000010156. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Nurettin Diker¹, Giovanni Cunha², Fued Samir Salmen³, Eduardo Santana⁴, Mario Gabrielli²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.
² Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, UNESP, Araraquara.
³ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Private Practice, Oral Face Care, Santos.
⁴ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, USP, Bauru, São Paulo, Brasil.

PMID: 38682924
DOI: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000010156

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the pharyngeal airway space (PAS) changes in class III patients receiving bimaxillary orthognathic surgery and correlate the PAS volume and minimum axial section changes with the magnitude of the surgical movement. This research involved a retrospective sample composed of 38 patients with class III skeletal occlusions. Three-dimensional measurements of the PAS volume and minimum axial section were conducted. Cephalometric points were used to verify the extent of jaw-hyoid bone movement. No significant differences were found between pre and postoperative total PAS volume (P = 0.280), nasopharyngeal volume (P = 0.545), oropharyngeal volume (P = 0.297), and minimum axial section (P = 0.568). Anterior movement of point A and posterior nasal spine were significantly associated with an increase in total PAS volume, oropharyngeal volume, and minimum axial section (P < 0.05). However, the posterior movement of menton was significantly associated with a decrease in total PAS volume, oropharyngeal volume, and minimum axial section (P < 0.05). The results of the present study indicated that PAS is not negatively affected by bimaxillary surgery in class III patients. However, the planning of class III patients who are prone to the development of airway problems should be done carefully.