| Summary: | Introduction. Dentofacial deformity, a deviation from normal facial
proportions and dental relationships, is corrected by jaw repositioning in
all three spatial planes, which changes the position and tension of the
surrounding tissues, bones and muscles. These changes may also affect the
dimensions of the pharyngeal airways (PA). Objective. The aim of this study
was to evaluate and compare three-dimensional PA changes in patients treated
by a combination mandibular set-back/maxillary advancement versus patients
that had bimaxillary advancement with genioplasty. Methods. The sample
consisted of 7 patients treated by combined mandibular set-back/maxillary
advancement and 7 patients treated with bimaxillary advancement surgery.
Nasopharyngeal (NP) volume, oropharyngeal (OP) volume and the area of maximum
constriction (AMC) in the OP were measured on CBCT scans (2 mA/120 kV/12’’
FOV) taken before (T1) and 3 months after surgery (T2). Paired samples t-test
was used for analyzing statistical significance of changes (p≤0.05). Results.
OP volume and AMC increase after bimaxillary advancement was statistically
significant, while for the mandibular set-back group the increase was
non-significant. NP volume was not reduced in any of the two groups. No
significant differences in PA dimensions were found between groups at neither
T1 nor T2 time points. Conclusion. Results suggest that the combination of
mandibular set-back/maxillary advancement did not reduce airway dimensions,
while bimaxillary advancement surgery led to a statistically significant
increase in the OP dimensions.
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