Correlation between change of tongue area and skeletal stability after correction of mandibular prognathism

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between postoperative stability and a change in tongue area after treatment of mandibular prognathism. Twenty-six patients, who were treated for mandibular prognathism using intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy, were evaluated cephalometrically. A set of three standardized lateral cephalograms were obtained from each participant preoperatively (T1), immediately postoperatively (T2), and after 2 years postoperatively (T3). Student t test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. Immediately after the surgery (T12), the setback of the menton (Me) was 12.9 mm (p < 0.001) and the tongue area had significantly increased to 105.8 mm2 (p = 0.047). At a 2-year follow-up to examine postsurgical stability (T23), the Me exhibited a forward movement of 0.6 mm (p = 0.363) and the tongue area had significantly decreased to 124.3 mm2 (p = 0.004). Pearson correlation coefficient test revealed no statistical significance between postoperative stability and change in tongue area. The tongue area significantly increased during the T12 period and decreased during the T23 period. There is no significant correlation between postoperative skeletal relapse and a change in tongue area.