Evaluation of upper airways after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in patients with skeletal Class III pattern using cone-beam computed tomography

Marília Spínola AZEVÊDO, Andre Wilson MACHADO, Inêssa da Silva BARBOSA, Lucas Senhorinho ESTEVES, Vanessa Álvares Castro ROCHA, Marcos Alan Vieira BITTENCOURT

Introduction: It has been suggested that mandibular setback surgery, combined or not with maxillary advancement as a treatment alternative for patients with mandibular prognathism, can induce changes in upper airway space (UAS). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the response of the upper airway in the oropharynx region of patients with Class III skeletal pattern that underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery (maxillary advancement and mandibular setback) combined with mentoplasty. Material and Methods: The sample comprised 26 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 13 patients. The examination was taken before and after surgery. UAS volume, sagittal area, length and minimal axial area with its width, depth and location, were measured with the aid of Dolphin ImagingTM software version 11.5 Premium. Data were statistically treated by applying Shapiro-Wilk test and Student’s paired t-test, considering as statistically significant the results of which p-value was lower than 0.05. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in any measurements evaluated. Conclusions: No significant changes were observed in the oropharynx after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery and mentoplasty.

Keywords: Airway remodeling. Orthognathic surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea. Cone-beam computed tomography.

How to cite: Azevêdo MS, Machado AW, Barbosa IS, Esteves LS, Rocha VAC, Bittencourt MAV. Evaluation of upper airways after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in patients with skeletal Class III pattern using cone-beam computed tomography. Dental Press J Orthod. 2016 Jan-Feb;21(1):34-41. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2177-6709.21.1.034-041.oar

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