Three-dimensional evaluation of the pharyngeal airway using cone-beam computed tomography following bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in skeletal class III patients.
OBJECTIVE
The study aims to evaluate the pharyngeal airway space (PAS) following bimaxillary surgery in skeletal class III patients and to compare the changes in PAS between genders using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).


METHODS
In all, 38 patients (16 male and 22 female) with skeletal class III malocclusion underwent bimaxillary surgery. CBCT scans were acquired approximately 1 month before surgery, 3 months after surgery, and 6 months after surgery. The oropharyngeal volume and the minimum cross-sectional area (CSA) were characterized using the InVivoDental imaging software package at each time point.


RESULTS
The volume and minimum CSA decreased significantly postoperatively, which was maintained until 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.01). The location of the minimum CSA tended to move into the retropalatal and retroglossal areas postoperatively. A strong correlation between volume and minimum CSA was found. The amount of mandibular setback was not correlated with the change in the airway. By gender, significant decreases in both the volume and minimum CSA were found in females (p < 0.05) but not in males.


CONCLUSIONS
Bimaxillary surgery significantly affects PAS. Gender differences should also be considered when considering changes in PAS.


CONCLUSIONS
An awareness of the effects of bimaxillary setback surgery on the airway should be considered when implementing an orthognathic treatment plan.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyung Hee University School of Dentistry, Kyungheedaero 23, Seoul, 130-872, South Korea.
Hong-Soon
HS
Kim
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Kyung Hee University School of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea.
Gyu-Tae
GT
Kim
Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
Sun
S
Kim
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyung Hee University School of Dentistry, Kyungheedaero 23, Seoul, 130-872, South Korea.
Jung-Woo
JW
Lee
Deptartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Research Center for Tooth and Periodontal Regeneration (MRC), Kyung Hee University School of Dentistry, Seoul, South Korea. eckim@khu.ac.kr.
Eun-Cheol
EC
Kim
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kyung Hee University School of Dentistry, Kyungheedaero 23, Seoul, 130-872, South Korea. yongdae.kwon@gmail.com.
Yong-Dae
YD
Kwon
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012984:Software
Bimaxillary surgery; Gender dimorphism; Minimum cross-sectional area; Pharyngeal airway space