Three-Dimensional Pharyngeal Airway Space Changes Following Isolated Mandibular Advancement Surgery in 120 Patients: A 1-Year Follow-up Study

Lack of evidence exists related to the three-dimensional (3D) pharyngeal airway space (PAS) changes at follow-up after isolated bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) advancement surgery. The present study assessed the 3D PAS changes following isolated mandibular advancement at a follow-up period of 1 year. A total of 120 patients (40 males, 80 females, mean age: 26.0 ± 12.2) who underwent BSSO advancement surgery were recruited. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were acquired preoperatively (T0), immediately following surgery (T1), and at 1 year of follow-up (T2). The volume, surface area, and minimal cross-sectional area (mCSA) of the airway were assessed. The total airway showed a 38% increase in volume and 13% increase in surface area from T0 to T1, where the oropharyngeal region showed the maximum immediate change. At T1–T2 follow-up, both volumetric and surface area showed a relapse of less than 7% for all sub-regions. The mCSA showed a significant increase of 71% from T0 to T1 (p < 0.0001), whereas a non-significant relapse was observed at T1–T2 (p = 0.1252). The PAS remained stable at a follow-up period of 1 year. In conclusion, BSSO advancement surgery could be regarded as a stable procedure for widening of the PAS with maintenance of positive space at follow-up.