• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.231-243
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• 1997

This study was carried out in order to find out the changes of the pharyngeal airway, hyoid bone and head posture before and after tonsillectomy in functional class III malocclusion patients. For this study, 21 Angle's class I patients and 21 Angle's class III patients, totally 42 subjects were chosen. The results were as follows; 1. In comparison to Class I group, tongue was more anteriorly and hyoid bone was more inferiorly positioned in functional Class III group 2. In comparison to pre-tonsillectomy, tongue was more posteriorly positioned and larger nasopharynx depth was shown in post-tonsillectomy. In post tonsillectomy, the hyoid bone was displaced posteriorly and superiorly and counterclockwise rotation was shown. 3. The level of significance for the correlation shown was 5 percent (p<0.05) indicating that: The change of nasopharyx depth was correlated to the inclination of lower incisors. Vertical change of tongue posture was correlated to the hyoid axis change. Vertical change of hyoid bone was correlated to the horizontal change of hyoid bone, craruocervical inclination. The change of craniocervical inclination was correlated to the inclination of lower incisors. 4. After the tonsillectomy, counterclockwise rotation of hyoid axis was associated with decease of hya-NL and large nasopharyngeal airway. High posture of the tongue was associated with decrease of hya-NL. Posterior posture of the tongue was associated with increase of h-hl,and decrease of hya-ba-n.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2011

Purpose: This study evaluated the pharyngeal airway space changes in CT images in patients receiving bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSRO) for the surgical correction of mandibular prognathism. Methods: A total of 22 patients with mandibular prognathism were treated using BSSRO. Computed tomography was performed 1 month (T0) before surgery and, 1 month after surgery (T1). The anteroposterior length (AP), lateral width (LAT) and cross-sectional area (AREA) at the level of soft palate (C2) and base of the tongue (C3) were measured using CT images. Results: The mean amount of mandibular setback was 7.41 mm (${\pm}$3.46 mm). All the AP, LAT and AREA at the C2 and C3 level were decreased significantly 1 month after surgery (P<0.001). As the amount of mandibular setback was increased, the AP, LAT and AREA levels at the level of C2 and C3 had decreased. In addition, the reduction of the AREA at the C3 level was associated with the amount of mandibular setback (P<0.05). Conclusion: A significant decrease in pharyngeal airway space was observed 1 month after the operation. The cross-sectional area at the level of base of tongue was decreased with increasing amount of mandibular setback.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.660-662
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• 2005

It is well documented that adenoidectomy is attributed to hypernasality in certain cases, but not clear that the enlarged tonsils affect the quality of speech. Hypertrophied tonsils may cause and complicate the problem of velopharyngeal incompetency. The huge tonsils prevent lateral pharyngeal walls from a medial movement and interfere velar elevation, being hypernasality. Hyponasality developes as the tonsils encroach in nasopharyngeal space. Voluminous tonsils also interfere airflow in the oropharyneal passage and produce the phenomenon of cul-de-sac resonance or muffled sound. The authors and et al. present a case of velopharyngeal insufficiency accompanied with hypertrophic tonsils. Improving the lateral constricting pharyngeal wall and velar elevation after tonsillectomy minimized the velopharyngeal gap. Accordingly, the procedures of sphincter pharyngoplasty and palatal lengthening resolved the problem of hypernasality instead of pharyngeal flap. Tonsillectomy prior to pharyngeal flap surgery tends to reduce the postoperative airway problems. Sometimes, however, only tonsillectomy does without pharyngeal flap. Surgical approach by stages and intermittent evaluation are recommended at intervals of at least six weeks.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.112-115
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• 2011

Several reports have investigated airway obstruction caused by redundancy of arytenoid mucosa. Flexible laryngoscope examination revealed prolapse of the mucosa overlying the arytenoid. Usually, pharyngeal or laryngeal microscopic procedures can successfully treat the redundancy of arytenoid mucosa. We experienced two cases of airway obstruction caused by redundancy of artenoid mucosa and report it with review of literatures.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.41
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• pp.51.1-51.8
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• 2019

Purpose: It has been reported before that the amount of pharyngeal airway space (PAS) significantly decreases following mandibular setback (MS) surgery in patients with mandibular prognathism (MP). Further, MP patients with an anterior open-bite (AOB) presentation may show a larger decrease in PAS compared with those without AOB. However, studies on postoperative PAS changes in MP patients with AOB remain rare. This study sought to evaluate changes in PAS and hyoid bone positioning following MS surgery in MP patients with and without AOB. Patients and methods: Twenty patients who underwent two jaw surgery involving MS movement were included. Patients were divided into a non-AOB group (n = 10; overbite > 2 mm) and an AOB group (n = 10; overbite < - 4 mm). Three-dimensional changes in PAS and hyoid bone positioning were compared and statistically evaluated pre- and postoperatively using computed tomography (CT). Results: The mean magnitude of MS was 6.0 ± 2.8 mm and 5.6 ± 3.2 mm in the non-AOB group and AOB group, respectively. The oropharyngeal volume and upper hypopharyngeal volume were significantly reduced after surgery in both the groups (p = 0.006 and p = 0.003), while the retroglossal cross-sectional area was significantly reduced only in the AOB group (p = 0.028). Although the AOB group showed a larger decrease in PAS, the difference was not statistically significant between the groups. The position of the hyoid bone showed significant posterior and inferior displacement only in the AOB group, while the vertical displacement of the hyoid bone showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: PAS was significantly decreased after MS in both the groups, while only the AOB group presented a statistically significant reduction in the retroglossal cross-sectional area. Vertical displacement of the hyoid bone showed a statistically significant difference between the groups, while the PAS change was not. Surgeons should be aware of potential postoperative airway problems that may arise when performing MS surgeries.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.211-220
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in the pharyngeal airway space, tongue and hyoid bone positions according to the orthognathic surgical methods of mandibular prognathism. Methods: The subjects included 30 patients (16 males, 14 females) with the skeletal class III malocclusion. Group 1 (10 patients) underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) only; group 2 (10 patients) underwent BSSRO with genioplasty; and group 3 (10 patients) underwent BSSRO, Le Fort I osteotomy. We measured the lines between the selected upper air way, hyoid bone and tongue landmarks on the lateral cephalometric x-ray films of skeletal class III. The measurements were made preoperation, within 1 week after the operation, 3~6 months after the operation and 1 year after the operation. We compared and analyzed the measurements with matched paired t-test and independent samples t-test. Results: There were no postoperative changes in the nasopharyngeal airway space in group 3. The measurements of group 3 also increased during the follow-up period as compared to the preoperative measurements. In group 1, 2 and 3, the immediate postoperative oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway spaces were decreased. In the following period, the hypopharyngeal airway space returned to the preoperative positions, but the oropharyngeal airway space was not significantly changed. The upper and lower tongue was posteriorly repositioned immediately after the surgery. During the follow-up period, the lower tongue position returned to the preoperative position, and the upper tongue position was not significantly changed. Immediately after the surgery, the B point was moved to the posterior position, and a slight anterior advancement was found in the follow-up period. Conclusion: Patients who received the mandibular setback surgery showed a decrease in the posterior airway space, and those who underwent maxillary advancement showed a significant increase of the nasopharyngeal airway space, which remained stable during the evaluation period. The change of the airway space, position of the hyoid bone and tongue did not differ according to the presence or absence of genioplasty.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.98-108
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• 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal dimensions of the patients with skeletal class II division 1 or division 2 patterns during the pre-peak, peak, and post-peak growth periods for comparison with a skeletal class I control group (79 for pre-peak, 40 for peak, 40 for post-peak). Total 159 lateral cephalograms (70 for skeletal class I, 51 for skeletal class II, division 1, and 38 for skeletal class II, division 2) were selected. The growth of anteroposterior dimension of the pharyngeal airway were statistically significant among growth periods. The dimension for the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal airway space was the smallest in the division 1 skeletal class II group followed by class II division 2 and skeletal class I.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal dimensions of individuals with skeletal class II, division 1 and division 2 patterns during the pre-peak, peak, and post-peak growth periods for comparison with a skeletal class I control group. Materials and Methods: Totally 124 lateral cephalograms (47 for skeletal class I; 45 for skeletal class II, division 1; and 32 for skeletal class II, division 2) in pre-peak, peak, and post-peak growth periods were selected from the department archives. Thirteen landmarks, 4 angular and 4 linear measurements, and 4 proportional calculations were obtained. The ANOVA and Duncan test were applied to compare the differences among the study groups during the growth periods. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the skeletal class II, division 2 group and other groups for the gonion-gnathion/sella-nasion angle. The sella-nasion-B-point angle was different among the groups, while the A-point-nasion-B-point angle was significantly different for all 3 groups. The nasopharyngeal airway space showed a statistically significant difference among the groups throughout the growth periods. The interaction among the growth periods and study groups was statistically significant regarding the upper oropharyngeal airway space measurement. The lower oropharyngeal airway space measurement showed a statistically significant difference among the groups, with the smallest dimension observed in the skeletal class II, division 2 group. Conclusion: The naso-oropharyngeal airway dimensions showed a statistically significant difference among the class II, division 1; class II, division 2; and class I groups during different growth periods.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of mandibular posterior displacement on the pharyngeal airway space (PAS) by using cephalometric evaluations and to investigate how the surrounding structures are schematically involved. Methods: In this retrospective study, 38 subjects with functional Class III malocclusion and two lateral cephalograms were selected. The first lateral cephalogram was taken with the mandible in the habitual occlusal position, and the second in anterior edge-to-edge bite. Paired t-test was used to analyze changes in the PAS, hyoid bone, tongue, and soft palate, followed by mandibular posterior displacement. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the amount of mandibular posterior displacement and other variables. Results: A statistically significant decrease was observed in the PAS following mandibular posterior displacement. Along with mandibular posterior displacement, the tongue decreased in length (p < 0.001) and increased in height (p < 0.05), while the soft palate increased in length, decreased in thickness, and was posteriorly displaced (p < 0.001). The hyoid bone was also posteriorly displaced (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the amount of mandibular posterior displacement and the measured variables. Conclusions: The PAS showed a statistically significant decrease following mandibular posterior displacement, which was a consequence of retraction of the surrounding structures. However, there were individual variances between the amount of mandibular posterior displacement and the measured variables.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.27 no.5 s.64
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• pp.733-741
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• 1997

As a result of surgical orthodontic treatment of mandibular prognathism, changes take place in the skeletal and soft orofacial components. Although some investigators had stated that permanent reduction of airway space was observed after mandibular setback surgery, it was not clear that this permanent reduction was sustained during long-term follow-up. The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in oropharyngeal airway space and soft tissue orofacial component following the mandibular setback surgery and during the follow-up period. The correlation between the changes of the oropharyngeal airway space and the changes of other soft tissue orofacial component was also assessed. The findings of this study were as follows ; 1. The oropharyngeal airway space area decreased following mandibular setback surgery for mandibular prognathism and continued to decrease during the follow-up period(p<0.05). 2. The pharyngeal depth at Xi point level and the 2nd cervical vertebra point level decreased after the surgery and remained during the follow-up period(p<0.05). The decrease of these pharyngeal depth was correlated with the decrease of oropharyngeal airway space area(p<0.01). 3. The decrease of pharyngeal depth at the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebra point level was not significant after the surgery and during the follow up period. 4. The hyoid bone moved downward after the surgery(p<0.05), but returned to its original position during the follow-up period. 5. The length & height of tongue and the Position of epiglottis base did not change significantly(p>0.05). 6. The soft palate was displaced posteriorly after the surgery and remained to its changed position during the follow-up period(p<0.05) due to posterior displacement of tongue. The changes of soft palate were significantly correlated with the decrease of oropharyngeal airway space area(p<0.01). 7. The narrowing of oropharyngeal airway space was due to the posterior displacement of tongue above the level of epiglottis tip. The posterior displacement of tongue following mandibular setback osteotomy remained during the follow-up period.