Use of Body Plethysmography to Measure Effect of Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery on Airway Resistance and Lung Volumes Publisher Pubmed



Rezaeetalab F¹ ; Kazemian M² ; Vaezi T³ ; Shaban B² Show Affiliations
Source: British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Published:2015

Abstract

Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery can cause changes to respiration and the airways. We used body plethysmography to evaluate its effect on airway resistance and lung volumes in 20 patients with class III malocclusions (8 men and 12 women, aged 17 - 32 years). Lung volumes (forced vital capacity; forced inspiratory volume/one second; forced expiratory volume/one second: forced vital capacity; peak expiratory flow; maximum expiratory flow 25-75; maximum inspiratory flow; total lung capacity; residual volume; residual volume:total lung capacity), and airway resistance were evaluated one week before, and six months after, operation. Bimaxillary operations to correct class III malocclusions significantly increased airway resistance, residual volume, total lung capacity, and residual volume:total lung capacity. Other variables also changed after operation but not significantly so. Orthognathic operations should be done with caution in patients who have pre-existing respiratory diseases. © 2015 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.