Evaluation of Postural Balance, Cervical Lordosis and Neck Disability after Orthognathic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to investigate changes in cervical lordosis, neck disability, and postural balance through static and dynamic tests in patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion who were treated with bimaxillary orthognathic surgery.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, 18 patients (mean age 23.3±5.4 years) with maxillary retrusion and mandibular prognathia were treated by bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Static and dynamic balance tests were recorded with the Kinesthetic Ability Trainer preoperatively (T1) and at least 2 months postoperatively (T2). Cervical lordosis angle (C2-C7) was evaluated with the posterior tangent method on the lateral cephalometric films taken at T1 and T2. Neck disability and pain were assessed through questionnaires at both time points.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 5.8 months. The mean maxillary advancement was 4.0 mm at point A (p=0.001). The mean mandibular setback was 2.4 mm at point B (p=0.166). An 8.4 mm maxillomandibular correction was observed according to the Wits appraisal (p=0.001). Static and dynamic balance tests, cervical lordosis angle, neck disability, and pain revealed no significant change between T1 and T2. No statistically significant correlation was observed between surgical movements and changes in the cervical lordosis angle.

CONCLUSION

Orthognathic surgical correction of skeletal Class III malocclusion, -primarily through maxillary advancement with less mandibular setback- did not lead to significant changes in cervical lordosis, neck disability, or postural balance as assessed through static and dynamic tests.