Evaluation of the Pharyngeal Airway Space Before and after Bi-Lateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy Surgery using Three-Dimensional Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the changes in the pharyngeal airway space PAS before and after bi-lateral sagittal split osteotomy BSSO surgery using a threedimensional cone-beam computed tomography 3D-CBCT Material and Methods The sample consisted of patients n 7 aged between 21-30 years having a skeletal Class II with retrognathic mandible and orthognathic maxilla who underwent orthodontic treatment and were advised for BSSO advancement surgery Pre-surgical CBCT scans were taken a week before the surgery T0 and the post-treatment records three months after the surgery T1 The 3D PAS was reconstructed from the CBCT scans and the volumetric changes were evaluated Result The PAS volume was derived and the pre-surgical values T0 mean 14083 19mm3 were compared with the post-surgical values T1 mean 18067 26mm3 and a significant increase by 28 29 in the volume was evident t 4 51 p 0 04 0 05 for a mean mandibular advancement of 4 7mm Conclusion Our findings suggest that bilateral mandibular advancement surgery in patients with retrognathic mandible increases the PAS volume anatomically and enhances the breathing functionally