A study on changes of airway, tongue, and hyoid position following orthognathic surgery

Chung, Dong Hee; Lee, Ki Soo

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate changes of airway size, tongue and hyoid position following orthognathic surgery in mandibular prognathism, and how they are adapted to new environment in tine dependent manner. 37 patients, who had recieved orthognathic surgery, were selected for this study. lateral cephalogram of each patient was taken at preoperation, immediate postoperation, and over 6 month after operation, and were traced and analyzed. The findings of this study were as follows: 1. The size of airway was not changed at PNS and Epiglottis level after operation, but it was changed slightly at 2nd cervical vertebra level. 2. The hyoid was moved inferoposteriorly at immediate postoperation, and then it shifted toward preoperative position, but it remained slightly inferoposterior position. The distance from hyoid to genial tubercle decreased continuously. 3. The position of tongue was moved inferoposteriorly at immediate postoperation, and then it shifted toward preoperation position, but the root of the tongue remained inferoposteriorly. 4. The distance between tongue and hyoid was increased at immediate postoperation and slightly decreased during follow-up period. 5. The change of the mandibular position was not significantly correlated with changes of airway size, hyoid position, tongue morphology and tongue position.