• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.224-231
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the pharyngeal airway space and hyoid bone position after mandibular setback surgery with bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) and to analyze the correlation between the amount of mandibular setback and the amount of change in pharyngeal airway space or hyoid bone position. Materials and Methods: From January 2010 to February 2013, a total of 30 patients who were diagnosed with skeletal class III malocclusion and underwent the same surgery (BSSRO) and fixation method in the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dentistry at the Ajou University School of Medicine (Suwon, Korea) were included in this study. Lateral cephalograms of the 30 patients were assessed preoperatively (T1), immediately postoperatively (T2), and 6 months postoperatively (T3) to investigate the significance of changes by time and the correlation between the amount of mandibular setback and the amount of change in the airway space and hyoid bone position. Results: Three regions of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx were measured and only the oropharynx showed a statistically significant decrease (P<0.01). A significant posterior and inferior displacement of the hyoid bone was found 6 months after surgery (P<0.01). Analysis of the correlation between the amount of mandibular setback and the amount of final change in the airway space and hyoid bone position with Pearson's correlation showed no significant correlation. Conclusion: In this study, the oropharynx significantly decreased after mandibular setback surgery, and changes in the surrounding structures were identified through posteroinferior movement of the hyoid bone during long-term follow-up. Therefore, postoperative obstructive sleep apnea should be considered in patients who plan to undergo mandibular setback surgery, and necessary modifications to the treatment plan should also be considered.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.42
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• pp.27.1-27.9
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• 2020

Background: Mandibular setback surgery can change the position of the mandible which improves occlusion and facial profile. Surgical movement of the mandible affects the base of the tongue, hyoid bone, and associated tissues, resulting in changes in the pharyngeal airway space. The aim of this study was to analyze the 3-dimensional (3D) changes in the hyoid bone and tongue positions and oropharyngeal airway space after mandibular setback surgery. Methods: A total of 30 pairs of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images taken before and 1 month after surgery were analyzed by measuring changes in the hyoid bone and tongue positions and oropharyngeal airway space. The CBCT images were reoriented using InVivo 5.3 software (Anatomage, San Jose, USA) and landmarks were assigned to establish coordinates in a three-dimensional plane. The mean age of the patients was 21.7 years and the mean amount of mandibular setback was 5.94 mm measured from the B-point. Results: The hyoid bone showed significant posterior and inferior displacement (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Significant superior and posterior movements of the tongue were observed (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). Regarding the velopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal spaces, there were significant reductions in the volume and minimal cross-sectional area (P < 0.001). The anteroposterior and transverse widths of the minimal cross-sectional area were decreased (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). In addition, the amount of mandibular setback positively correlated with the amount of posterior and inferior movement of the hyoid bone (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: There were significant changes in the hyoid bone, tongue, and airway space after mandibular setback surgery.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.39
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• pp.3.1-3.9
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of the study is to compare the effects on the pharyngeal airway space of skeletal anchored face mask with those of tooth-borne facemask. Methods: We used two types of facemask for maxillary protraction, the tooth-borne facemask (TBFM) and the skeletal anchored facemask (SAFM), and evaluated the effects of each facemask on the pharyngeal airway. Twenty-eight patients (mean age 10.3 years) were treated with the TBFM and 24 patients (mean age 11.2 years) were treated with the SAFM. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken before treatment (T1) and after treatment (T2) to assess changes in the dimensions of the upper airway. Statistical analysis was performed with independent t tests, matched t tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: There were marked increases in upper airway dimensions in both groups following treatment, but the SAFM group had a significantly greater increase in airway dimensions than the TBFM group. Also, the SAFM subgroups showed more improved airway measurements than the TBFM subgroups in both the superior and inferior pharyngeal airways. Conclusions: SAFM is more effective than TBFM in increasing upper airway dimensions.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.121-132
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the upper airway dimensional change according to maxillary superior movement after orthognathic surgery and to identify the relationship between the amount of maxillary movement and upper airway dimensional changes. Methods: The samples consisted of 24 adult patients (9 males and 15 females) who had a skeletal discrepancy and had received presurgical orthodontic treatment. They underwent Le Fort I superior impaction osteotomy and mandibular setback surgery. Cephalometric x-rays were taken at 3 stages - T0 (before orthognathic surgery), T1 (just or within 2 weeks after orthognathic surgery), T2 (6 months after surgery) Results: 1, Pharyngeal airway space (PAS (R)-nasopharynx) was decreased after surgery (T1) but recovered at 6 months after surgery; 2, Pharyngeal airway space (PAS (NL)-palatal plane) was increased after surgery and at 6 months after surgery; 3, Pharyngeal airway space (PAS (OL)-occlusal plane) was increased at T1 and was decreased at T2; 4, Soft palate thickness was increased at T1 but it became the same or thinner at T2; 5, There is no statistically significant relation between the amount of maxillary superior movement and pharyngeal airway space. Conclusions: These findings suggested that the maxillary superior movement of about an average of $4.40{\pm}1.14 mm$ did not affect upper pharyngeal airway space changes.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.401-406
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the position of the hyoid bone and soft palate and the amount of airway space after bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (B-SSRO). Methods: This study is a review of lateral cephalometric tracings of 30 patients who underwent B-SSRO with setbacks at Kyunghee Dental Hospital from 2005 to 2009. Lateral cephalograms were taken before (T0), within one month (T1), and more than six months after the surgery (T2). Results: The hyoid bone at T1 changed significantly towards the inferoposterior position. At T2, it had significantly moved superiorly, but not anteriorly. At T1, the nasopharyngeal space, extending from the posterior nasal spine to the posterior pharyngeal space, decreased significantly, but did not show a significant increase at T2. The nasopharyngeal space, extending from the middle of soft palate to the posterior pharyngeal space, decreased significantly at T1, but did not show a significant decrease at T2. The oropharyngeal airway space decreased significantly at T1 and did not return to its original position at T2. The hypopharyngeal space, extending from the anterior to the posterior pharyngeal space at the level of the most anterior point of the third cervical vertebrae, slightly decreased at T1, but the amount was insignificant; however, the amount of decrease at T2 was significant. The hypopharyngeal space extending from the anterior to the posterior pharyngeal space at the level of the lowest point of the third cervical vertebrae, decreased significantly at T1 but returned to its original position at T2. Conclusion: B-SSRO changes the position of the hyoid bone and muscles inferoposteriorly. These change allows enough space for the tongue and prevent airway obstruction. Airway changes may be related to post-operative edema, posterior movement of the soft palate, anteroposterior movement of the hyoid bone, or compensation for decreased oral cavity volume. The position of the pogonion which measures anterior relapse after surgery did not show significant differences during the follow-up period.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.166-178
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate dimensional changes in regional pharyngeal airway spaces after premolar extraction in bimaxillary skeletal protrusion (BSP) patients according to vertical skeletal pattern, and to further identify dentoskeletal risk factors to predict posttreatment pharyngeal changes. Methods: Fifty-five adults showing BSP treated with microimplant anchorage after four premolar extractions were included in this retrospective study. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the mandibular plane steepness: hyperdivergent (Frankfort horizontal plane to mandibular plane [FH-MP] ≥ 30) and nonhyperdivergent groups (FH-MP < 30). The control group consisted of 20 untreated adults with skeletal Class I normodivergent pattern and favorable profile. Treatment changes in cephalometric variables were evaluated and compared. The association between posttreatment changes in the dentoskeletal and upper airway variables were analyzed using linear regression analysis. Results: The BSP patients showed no significant decrease in the pharyngeal dimensions to the lower level in comparison with controls, except for middle airway space (MAS, p < 0.01). The upper airway variable representing greater decrease in the hyperdivergent group than in the nonhyperdivergent group was the MAS (p < 0.01). Posttreatment changes in FH-MP had negative correlation with changes in MAS (β = -0.42, p < 0.01) and inferior airway space (β = -0.52, p < 0.01) as a result of multivariable regression analysis adjusted for sagittal skeletal relationship. Conclusions: Decreased pharyngeal dimensions after treatment in BSP patients showed no significant difference from the normal range of pharyngeal dimensions. However, the glossopharyngeal airway space may be susceptible to treatment when vertical dimension increased in hyperdivergent BSP patients.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.96-100
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• 2003

Retrophayngeal hematomas frequently develop in patients who had cervical vertebra fracture. The hematoma develops in the space between buccopharyngeal fascia and prevertebral fascia. But it rarely causes severe airway obstruction. We recently treated a patient who had dyspnea and dysphagia due to a retropharyngeal hematoma without any significant trauma history. First, tracheostomy was performed to maintain the airway. Then, incision and drainage was done under suspension laryngoscope. This case shows the fact that a retropharyngeal hematoma can result in severe airway obstruction even after a minor trauma.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal dimensions of individuals with skeletal class II, division 1 and division 2 patterns during the pre-peak, peak, and post-peak growth periods for comparison with a skeletal class I control group. Materials and Methods: Totally 124 lateral cephalograms (47 for skeletal class I; 45 for skeletal class II, division 1; and 32 for skeletal class II, division 2) in pre-peak, peak, and post-peak growth periods were selected from the department archives. Thirteen landmarks, 4 angular and 4 linear measurements, and 4 proportional calculations were obtained. The ANOVA and Duncan test were applied to compare the differences among the study groups during the growth periods. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the skeletal class II, division 2 group and other groups for the gonion-gnathion/sella-nasion angle. The sella-nasion-B-point angle was different among the groups, while the A-point-nasion-B-point angle was significantly different for all 3 groups. The nasopharyngeal airway space showed a statistically significant difference among the groups throughout the growth periods. The interaction among the growth periods and study groups was statistically significant regarding the upper oropharyngeal airway space measurement. The lower oropharyngeal airway space measurement showed a statistically significant difference among the groups, with the smallest dimension observed in the skeletal class II, division 2 group. Conclusion: The naso-oropharyngeal airway dimensions showed a statistically significant difference among the class II, division 1; class II, division 2; and class I groups during different growth periods.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.127-131
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• 2004

A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has many advantages in the management of airway emergencies or the treatment of patients in whom intubation is difficult, but the use of LMA during positive ventilation may seem inappropriate to protect the airway because of the risk of pulmonary aspiration of regurgitated gastric contents. We experienced aspiration pneumonia after general anesthesia using LMA in patient who suffered from panperitonitis. It is considered that the main reason for aspiration pneumonia was a leakage of gastric content through the space surrounding the nasogastric tube while under high airway inflation pressure. We concluded that when LMA or the Proseal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) is chosen for the use in difficult intubations, careful patient-suitability selection and the correct knowledge of LMA and PLMA are needed to protect the airway against aspiration.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.457-464
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• 2022

Tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that is commonly used to treat upper airway obstruction. In particular, patients with head and neck cancer may require elective or emergency tracheostomy because of airway obstruction due to massive bleeding of the intraoral tumor mass and rapid growth of the tumor mass in the neck area. Here, we report four cases of tracheostomy in patients with head and neck cancer with narrowed airway space and difficulty in breathing. Based on these cases and a literature review, we recommend that oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dental anesthesiologists should cooperate closely and determine the appropriate timing to perform definitive airway management for such patients during palliative treatment, along with continuous evaluation of tumor location, risk of recurrence, and airway involvement.