ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional adaptation of the tongue, the hyoid bone, the digastric muscle and the upper airway and the variables predicting postoperative stability following orthognathic surgery in patients with mandibular prognathism. 18 patients were selected(8 men and 10 women) for this study, who had received orthognathic surgery. Their lateral cephalograms, those were taken preoperatively, immediate postoperatively and over 6 months follow-up, were traced and analysed. The results were as follows: 1. The downward displacement of the hyoid bone and extended head posture were recognized, right after operation. Statistically significant correlations were found between the changes of the mandibular position and the digastric muscle and the change of head posture during operation. 2. The tongue was displaced downward following the hyoid displacement postoperatively. Statistically significant correlations were found between the change of the mandibular position and the change of the distance of the tongue and hard palate, and between the change of head posture and the changes of the upper airway sizes, the digastric muscle and the hyoid position during over 6 month's follow-up. 3. The change of the distance of the tongue and hard palate was the most significant factor for prognosis during over 6 month's follow-up. 4. There were no variables before operation to predict the postoperative stability and the constriction of the upper airway.