Do patients detect changes in breathing after orthognathic surgery?

Background Orthognathic surgery addresses facial aesthetics and function in patients with dentofacial deformities. It is associated with changes in upper airway volume (UAV). If changes in UAV is perceived by asymptomatic patients is unclear. Purpose The purpose was to measure associations between changes in UAV and patient-reported benefits using patient-reported outcome measures (PROM). Study design A sample presenting dentofacial deformities without reported breathing problems undergoing orthognathic surgery were retrospectively studied. Patients aged 18-30 years with 12-month follow-up were included. Patients with systemic disease, drug abuse, mental health disorder, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction were excluded. Predictor The predictor variable was changes in UAV measured in three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT). Subjects were grouped into increased or decreased UAV. Main outcome variable The primary outcome variable was changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured with Oral Health Impact Profile 49 (OHIP-49). Covariates Weight, height, age, sex, and sub-scaled OHIP-49 were registered. Cephalometric measurements of hard tissue movements were recorded. Analyses Mean, standard deviation, and a level of statistical significance at P