“Airway Volume Simulation in Virtual Mandibular Distraction: A Cohort Study”

Background: We investigated the accuracy of virtual surgical planning (VSP) in predicting airway volume (AV) changes after mandibular distraction in patients with Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) and associated tongue-based airway obstruction (TBAO). Methods: We completed a retrospective review of patients for whom VSP was used during MDO for treatment of TBAO at a single institution. Pre-operative AV, VSP-predicted AV, and post-operative AV were calculated from 3-D CT scans using industry software. A blinded institutional radiologist also calculated pre- and post-operative AVs using one of two software programs. Pre- and post-operative polysomnography (PSG) was used to titrate end-point of mandibular lengthening. Results: Data were available for 11 patients, who were included in the study. Mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (5.42 ± 4.53 vs 44.96 ± 20.57, p