Pharyngeal airway evaluation following isolated surgical mandibular advancement: A 1-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of pharyngeal airway space changes with the use of acoustic pharyngometry 1 year after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy for mandibular advancement in patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion.

METHODS: The sample comprised 16 patients (mean age 21.26 ± 1.86 years). Acoustic pharyngometry measurements were recorded 1 week before surgery (T0), 2 months after surgery (T1), and 1 year after surgery (T2). Parameters were compared by means of repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS: Significant increase was seen in minimum cross-sectional area 2 months after surgery (P < 0.001). Relapse of 12.6% was observed within 1 year after surgery (P < 0.001). Statistically significant increase, ie, 31.5%, was seen in mean cross-sectional area 2 months after surgery (P < 0.001), which relapsed by 7.9% 1 year after surgery (P < 0. 0.001). Significant increase in mean volume from 30.32 ± 2.2 cm3 before surgery to 38.91 ± 2.73 cm3 2 months after surgery (P < 0.001) was observed. Mean volume relapsed 3.9% 1 year after surgery (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Changes in pharyngeal airway space dimensions in patients subjected to isolated surgical mandibular advancement on 1 year follow up showed encouraging results.