Examination of changes in the pharyngeal airway space under anterior traction of the mandible: Influence of detachment of the periosteum during orthognathic surgery

Maxillo-mandibular advancement (MMA) has attracted attention as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in recent years. We previously evaluated the breathing status during sleep before and after orthognathic surgery and found that maxillary advancement has a greater effect compared with mandibular advancement (J Jaw Deform 2007;17:9–15). The pharyngeal air space, however, exists within the soft tissue surrounded by the jaw bone and the cervical spine, and it can easily be speculated that mandibular advancement will affect its morphology. In this study, changes in the pharyngeal air space before and after periosteal detachment of the inferior and posterior margin of the distal bone fragment of the mandible were investigated.