Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the amount of mandibular setback, and the related changes of the tongue area, pharyngeal area, and pharyngeal airflow velocity. Twenty-five patients treated for mandibular prognathism, and serial cephalograms were obtained (T1: preoperation, T2: more than one year postoperation). The postoperative area of the tongue, pharyngeal airway space, and pharyngeal airflow velocity were investigated. Statistical analysis was performed with the Student t-test and Pearson correlation. The amount of mandible setback was significant after surgery (12.8 mm; p < 0.001). The pharyngeal area was significantly reduced 115.5 mm2 (p = 0.046). There was a slight reduction of the tongue area (43.2 mm2; p = 0.305) and an increase of pharyngeal airflow velocity (0.3 m/s; p = 0.133). The Pearson correlation coefficient test showed no statistical significance among the amount of horizontal setback and vertical movement of the mandible, such as the reductions in the tongue area, the pharyngeal airway space, and the increase in pharyngeal airflow velocity. Larger amounts of mandibular setback caused a significant reduction of pharyngeal airway area, but without significant changes of the tongue area and pharyngeal airflow velocity.
Highlights
The pharynx, which is part of the upper airway, is divided into three regions according to location: the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx or hypopharynx
This study investigated the effect of mandibular surgery on the tongue area in patients treated with mandibular setback
Our study further explored the change of the postoperative tongue area and how it affects the pharyngeal airway and pharyngeal airflow velocity for the maintenance of respiration function
Summary
The pharynx, which is part of the upper airway, is divided into three regions according to location: the nasopharynx, the oropharynx, and the laryngopharynx or hypopharynx. The pharynx’s primary functions are swallowing and respiration as the passageway of air, food, and fluids. Located at the floor of the mouth and the inner side of the mandible, the tongue is a major sensory organ that plays a crucial role in speech production. The tongue is arguably the organ with the most active function in the oropharyngeal system since it participates in the physiological activities of chewing and swallowing [1,2]. Its position affects the size of the airway space. It is well known that the location of the pharynx and tongue could affect the pharyngeal airflow
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