• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.157-161
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• 2001

The purpose of this study cephalometrically evaluated changes in the posterior airway space for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) before and after surgical advancement of the maxilla and mandible. The change in calculated airway resistance was correlated with the respiratory disturbance index(RDI). Twenty cephalometric radiographs were traced before and after surgery to determine the posterior airway area and calculate resistance. Polysomnograms of each patient were obtained before and after surgery. All patients had a decrease in calculated airflow resistance in the airway. The mean amount of resistance was 865.15 before surgery, decreasing to 192.65 after surgery (p<0.01). Eighty-five percent of the patients experienced improvement in their RDI. Reduction in the RDI appears to be due to an increase in the posterior airway space and decrease in flow resistance.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.185-191
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• 2014

Purpose: Although there have been several studies of reduced airway space after mandibular setback surgery using the sagittal split ramus osteotomy technique, research on the risk factors for changes of the airway space is lacking. Therefore, this study was performed to examine airway changes and the position of the hyoid bone after orthognathic surgery, and to assess possible risk factors. Methods: In this retrospective study, 50 patients who underwent posterior displacement of the mandible by the bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy technique were included. Changes of the position of the hyoid bone and the airway space were analyzed over various follow-up periods, using cephalometric radiography taken preoperatively, immediately after surgery, eight weeks after surgery, six months after surgery, and one year after surgery. To identify risk factors, multiple regression analysis of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), posterior mandibular movement, and the presence of genioplasty was performed. Results: Inferor and posterior movement of the hyoid bone was observed postoperatively, but subsequent observations showed regression towards the anterosuperior aspect. The airway space also significantly decreased after surgery (P<0.05), and increased slightly up until six months after surgery. The airway space significantly decreased (${\beta}=0.47$, P<0.01) as the amount of mandibular setback increased. However, age, sex, BMI, and presence of genioplasty were not associated with airway reduction. Conclusion: The amount of mandibular set back was significantly associated with postoperative reduction of airway space. It is necessary to establish a treatment plan considering this factor.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.401-406
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the position of the hyoid bone and soft palate and the amount of airway space after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (B-SSRO). Methods: This study is a review of lateral cephalometric tracings of 30 patients who underwent B-SSRO with setbacks at Kyunghee Dental Hospital from 2005 to 2009. Lateral cephalograms were taken before (T0), within one month (T1), and more than six months after the surgery (T2). Results: The hyoid bone at T1 changed significantly towards the inferoposterior position. At T2, it had significantly moved superiorly, but not anteriorly. At T1, the nasopharyngeal space, extending from the posterior nasal spine to the posterior pharyngeal space, decreased significantly, but did not show a significant increase at T2. The nasopharyngeal space, extending from the middle of soft palate to the posterior pharyngeal space, decreased significantly at T1, but did not show a significant decrease at T2. The oropharyngeal airway space decreased significantly at T1 and did not return to its original position at T2. The hypopharyngeal space, extending from the anterior to the posterior pharyngeal space at the level of the most anterior point of the third cervical vertebrae, slightly decreased at T1, but the amount was insignificant; however, the amount of decrease at T2 was significant. The hypopharyngeal space extending from the anterior to the posterior pharyngeal space at the level of the lowest point of the third cervical vertebrae, decreased significantly at T1 but returned to its original position at T2. Conclusion: B-SSRO changes the position of the hyoid bone and muscles inferoposteriorly. These change allows enough space for the tongue and prevent airway obstruction. Airway changes may be related to post-operative edema, posterior movement of the soft palate, anteroposterior movement of the hyoid bone, or compensation for decreased oral cavity volume. The position of the pogonion which measures anterior relapse after surgery did not show significant differences during the follow-up period.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 2000

Purpose : This study was aimed at measuring the changes in the hyoid bone position, tongue position, and pharyngeal airway space in subjects with mandibular setback osteotomies. Methods : Twenty patients were evaluated retrospectively for their changes in pharyngeal airway space, tongue and hyoid bone positions. All patients underwent surgical mandibular setback using bilateral sagittal split osteotomies. The cephalometric analysis was performed preoperatively, and 1 week, 3-6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Result : The hyoid bone moved inferiorly and posteriorly immediately after surgery, and it returned to the preoperative position during follow-up period. The nasopharyngeal airway space was not significantly changed after surgery. A considerable decrease in the oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway spaces following mandibular setback surgery was found. The upper and lower tongue was posteriorly repositioned immediately after surgery. During follow-up period, the hypopharyngeal airway space and lower tongue posture returned to the preoperative positions, but the oropharyngeal airway space and upper tongue posture were not significantly changed. The position of pogonion remarkably changed to backward immediately after surgery, but slightly anterior advancement was found during follow-up period. Conclusion : Immediately after mandibular setback surgery, the oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airway spaces obviously decreased due to posterior and inferior repositions of the tongue and hyoid bone. During follow-up period, lower tongue and hyoid bone returned to the preoperative positions, it was related to advancement of the pogonion in this period. The narrowing of the oropharyngeal airway space and posterior movement of the upper tongue posture were relatively permanent after mandibular setback surgery. We suspected this phenomenon had an influence on maintaining the total volume of oral cavity against mandibular setback.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.42
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• pp.27.1-27.9
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• 2020

Background: Mandibular setback surgery can change the position of the mandible which improves occlusion and facial profile. Surgical movement of the mandible affects the base of the tongue, hyoid bone, and associated tissues, resulting in changes in the pharyngeal airway space. The aim of this study was to analyze the 3-dimensional (3D) changes in the hyoid bone and tongue positions and oropharyngeal airway space after mandibular setback surgery. Methods: A total of 30 pairs of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images taken before and 1 month after surgery were analyzed by measuring changes in the hyoid bone and tongue positions and oropharyngeal airway space. The CBCT images were reoriented using InVivo 5.3 software (Anatomage, San Jose, USA) and landmarks were assigned to establish coordinates in a three-dimensional plane. The mean age of the patients was 21.7 years and the mean amount of mandibular setback was 5.94 mm measured from the B-point. Results: The hyoid bone showed significant posterior and inferior displacement (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Significant superior and posterior movements of the tongue were observed (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). Regarding the velopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal spaces, there were significant reductions in the volume and minimal cross-sectional area (P < 0.001). The anteroposterior and transverse widths of the minimal cross-sectional area were decreased (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). In addition, the amount of mandibular setback positively correlated with the amount of posterior and inferior movement of the hyoid bone (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: There were significant changes in the hyoid bone, tongue, and airway space after mandibular setback surgery.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.344-352
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the changes induced in the pharyngeal airway space by orthodontic treatment with bodily retraction of the mandibular incisors and mandibular setback surgery without extraction. Methods: This retrospective study included 63 adult patients (32 men and 31 women). Thirty-three patients who had been treated via four-bicuspid extraction and bodily retraction of the mandibular incisors (incisor retraction, IR group) were compared with 30 patients who had been treated via mandibular setback surgery (MS group) without extraction. Lateral cephalograms were acquired and analyzed before (T1) and after treatment (T2). Results: The superior pharyngeal airway space did not change significantly in either group during treatment. The middle pharyngeal airway space decreased by $1.15{\pm}1.17mm$ and $1.25{\pm}1.35mm$ after treatment in the IR and MS groups, respectively, and the decrease was comparable between the two groups. In the MS group, the inferior pharyngeal airway space (E-IPW) decreased by $0.88{\pm}1.67mm$ after treatment (p < 0.01). The E-IPW was larger in the MS group than in IR group at T1, but it did not differ significantly between the two groups at T2. No significant correlation was observed between changes in the pharyngeal airway space and the skeletal and dental variables in each group. Conclusions: The middle pharyngeal airway space decreased because of the posterior displacement of the mandibular incisors and/or the mandibular body. The E-IPW decreased only in the MS group because of the posterior displacement of only the mandibular body.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.38
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• pp.23.1-23.7
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this retrospective study was to develop a two- and three-dimensional analysis of the airway using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine whether the airway space would be changed in mandibular prognathism after bimaxillary surgery involving maxillary posterior impaction. Methods: Patients requiring orthognathic surgery from 2012 to 2014 were recruited for this study. CBCT scans were obtained at three points: preoperatively (T0), immediate postoperatively (T1), and after 6 months postoperatively (T2). The nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx were measured on the CBCT scan for each patient in a repeatable manner. With the midsagittal plane, linear measurements in the middle of each were obtained. For the CBCT, volumetric measurements of each and total airway were obtained. Results: A total of 22 consecutive patients (11 men and 11 women) were included in the present study. The total volume was significantly reduced (p < .001). However, the change of the diameter and volume of the nasopharynx was not statistically significant (p = .160, p = .137, respectively). In the oropharynx, the change of both the diameter and volume showed statistical significance between preoperatively and immediate postoperatively (p < .001, p = .001, respectively) and also preoperatively and after 6 months postoperatively (p = .001, p = .010, respectively). In the hypopharynx, the change of both the diameter and volume showed statistical significance between preoperatively and immediate postoperatively (p = .001, p < .001, respectively) and also preoperatively and after 6 months postoperatively (p = .001, p < .001, respectively). Conclusions: The bimaxillary surgery involving maxillary posterior impaction can reduce the volume of airway in the patients of mandibular prognathism. Although total airway volume was reduced significantly, the changes in the volume and diameter of the nasopharynx were not statistically significant. The maxillary posterior impaction affects on the nasopharyngeal airway minimally.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study is the changes of upper respiratory airway space in patients with mandibular prognathism after 2-jaw orthognathic surgery in patients with skeletal classs III malocclusion. Method: We measured the lines between selected upper airway landmarks on lateral cephalometric x-ray films of skeletal class III 64 persons who had not been operated yet, were 6 months after operation. The test subjects were divided into 3 groups according to maxillary movement, as follows; maxillary advancement (MA) group, maxillary posterior impaction (MPI) group, maxillary posterior impaction and superior repositioning (MPI+MSR) group. Result: In this study, nasopharyngeal airway space in MPI+MSR group was significantly increased after operation (p<0.05). Oropharygeal and hypopharyngeal airway space in MA group and MPI group were significantly decreased after operation (p<0.05). From hyoid bone to anterior mandible point distance in MA group and MPI group were significantly decreased after operation (p<0.05). Conclusion: Oropharygeal and hypopharyngeal airway space were influenced more by mandibular set-back than maxillary movement. Maxillary movement surgery as well as mandibular setback surgery should be taken into consideration in order to minimize symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome after operation.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.74-82
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• 2008

Objective: This study examined the craniofacial morphology of young patients in their prepubertal stage showing class I, II malocclusion, by analyzing lateral cephalograms, and analyzed its relationship with tongue position, tongue space, and airway space in order to ascertain the effects of nasopharyngeal airway and tongue morphology on the form of the malocclusion. Methods: Seventy-six patients aging from 9 to 11 were divided into two groups depending on the ANB difference on the lateral cephalogram: Experimental group (CI II malocclusion group) showing $0{\le}ANB$ difference < 4.0; Control group (CI I malocclusion group) showing $0{\le}ANB$ difference < 4.0. The tongue space, space between palate and tongue, nasopharyngeal airway space and craniofacial morphology were compared between the two groups. Results: Tongue space, palate-tongue space, nasopharyngeal airway space showed no significant differences between class I and class II malocclusion groups. Hyperdivergent faces were associated with smaller nasopharyngeal airway space. Longer anterior facial height and posterior facial height were associated with larger tongue space, and greater anterior facial height were associated with lower tongue position. Smaller nasopharyngeal airway space showed smaller tongue space. Conclusions: Tongue space and nasopharyngeal airway space showed no significant differences between class I malocclusion group and class II malocclusion group. Only anterior facial height and posterior facial height had an influence on tongue space and nasopharyngeal airway space.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2006

After orthognathic surgery in skeletal class III patients, the hyoid bone position and the upper airway dimension could be changed due to mandibular setback. There has been many studies about airway dimension of the patients with skeletal class II malocclusion or obstructive sleep apnea. but not with skeletal class III. The purpose of this study was to examine the change of position of the hyoid bone and the consequent change of airway space as the result of retrusion of mandible after orthognathic surgery in skeletal Cl III malocclusion patients. It is also to apply this results in predicting, diagnosing and treating the subsequent obstructive sleep apnea. Forty patients who were diagnosed as skeletal Cl III maloccusion, received orthoganthic surgery of both jaws including mandibular setback, and were followed up post-operatively for more than 6 months were selected. There were 10 male patients 30 female patients. The preoperative and postoperative lateral cephalograms were traced and the distances and angles were measured. The nasopharyngeal space increased postoperatively while the oropharyngeal space decreased. Except for the change of oroparyngeal space, the changes in male patients were greater than female patients. The hyoid bone moved in the posterior-inferior direction, and the change was greater in males than in females. If the postoperative mandibular setback is great, then a significant decrease of airway space and posterior and inferior movement of the hyoid bone were observed. This can result in symptoms related to obstructive sleep apnea. This result should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment planning of orthognathic surgery patients.