Upper airway analysis after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery: retrospective study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the changes that occurred in the upper airways (UAS) after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Methodology: The sample comprised 14 patients, who were divided into two groups, according to the type of movement performed in the surgery: group 1 (n = 6), bimaxillary advancement; group 2 (n = 8) maxillary advancement and mandibular setback surgery. Computed tomography scans were performed preoperatively (T0) and 1 year postoperatively (T1). Through the Dolphin Imaging software, the analysis of the UAS was carried out in three parameters: total area (TA), total volume (TV) and minimum axial area (MAA), which were compared between T0 and T1 in the same groups by the Wilcoxon Test and between groups by the Mann-Whitney test (p < 0.05). Results: Both groups showed a significant increase in TA, TV and MAA between T0 and T1. However, these variations were statistically higher in group 1 when compared to group 2. Conclusion: Bimaxillary surgeries promoted an increase in the TA, TV and MAA of the UAS and these changes were significantly higher in patients undergoing bimaxillary advancement.