title: Pharyngeal airway space, hyoid bone position and head posture after orthognathic surgery in Class III patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of orthognathic surgery on pharyngeal airway in Class III patients and to (1) compare the results of different surgical techniques, (2) determine the change at the position of the hyoid bone, and (3) evaluate the craniocervical posture changes related to pharyngeal airway change.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight Class III adult patients were included in the study to assess airway space after orthognathic surgery. Nine patients were treated with maxillary advancement, seven patients were treated with mandibular set back, and 32 patients were treated with bimaxillary surgery. Cephalometric records were taken before treatment, after surgery, and about 1 year after surgery (at the end of the treatment).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences were determined at the position of hyoid bone and craniocervical posture. Nasopharyngeal area was significantly increased in all groups (P < .05). Oropharyngeal area and SPSS and IPS parameters were significantly decreased after mandibular set back operation (P < .05). In bimaxillary and maxillary advancement groups, PPS parameter was significantly increased (P < .01), and IPS parameter was significantly decreased (P < .05). No differences were detected at oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal areas in bimaxillary and maxillary advancement groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different surgical procedures have different effects on pharyngeal airway space.
authors.affiliation: Fatih University, Oral and Dental Health Center, Ankara, Turkey. hsbolatoglu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Halise
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aydemir
authors.forename: Ufuk
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Memikoğlu
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karasu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006928:Hyoid Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007568:Jaw / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000601:surgery*; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000379:methods*; D059229:Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus / Q000379:methods*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011187:Posture; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome