ABSTRACT

Aim:

Internal nasal valve, which has been the most resistant region of the nasal airway, is affected by Le Fort I osteotomy. This study aimed to investigate the changes in the internal nasal valve (INV) after Le Fort I osteotomy.

Methods:

A retrospective computed tomography (CT) data of thirty-two patients who underwent Le Fort I surgery alone or combined with mandibular surgery from 2018 to 2020 were evaluated. INV area, INV angle, external nasal valve area, and interalar width were measured at preoperative (T1) and postoperative period (T2) on CT images.

Results:

CT assessment showed that the INV area was increased for both the right and left side (p1=0.005, p2=0.007). Right and left INV angle was increased from 16.15±3.240 to 19.63±5.21⁰ and from 15.93±3.26⁰ to 19.17±4.43⁰ respectively (p1=0.000, p2=0.007). Interalar width was increased at the postoperative period (p=0.000). Also, the correlation between interalar width and INV area was found borderline significant (p=0.051, r=0.814). Right and left external nasal valve areas were increased after surgery (p1=0.000, p2=0.003).

Conclusion:

Maxillary surgery and surgical procedures affecting interalar width have an impact on the internal nasal valve.

Introduction

Airflow resistance during breathing is essential for good pulmonary function (1). The nasal airway resistance constitutes about 50% of total airway resistance, and the most resistant region of the nasal airway is the internal nasal valve (INV) (2). The narrowest part of the nasal passage, INV, where the turbulence of inspiratory and expiratory flow occurs, is the most critical valve that adjusts the airflow (3). The INV is located at the inferior aspect of the upper lateral cartilage and is surrounded by inferior nasal concha and nasal septum (4). Small changes in the INV can significantly impact airflow resistance, affecting nasal function (5). A previous study stated that the average INV area was less than 0.38 cm² in obstructed airway patients, while the normal INV was measured as 0.51cm² (4). Theodore (6) stated it should be between approximately 40 to 60 mm². Many studies reported an increase in the INV area correlated with a higher patient satisfaction level for breathing (7,8). The factors affecting the nasal valve area are septal deviation, turbinate hypertrophy, skeletal irregularities, iatrogenic collapse, and mucosal hypertrophy (4). One possible factor affecting the INV is Le Fort I osteotomy, a commonly used method for treating dentofacial deformities in adult patients. As a result of maxillary impaction or advancement, nasal airway resistance can be decreased because enlargement of interalar width affects an increase in nasal valve angle (9).

Most studies assessing the nasal airway resistance following maxillary surgery used anterior rhinomanometry (AR) and acoustic rhinometry. However, the efficiency of these devices in the determination of nasal airway resistance and clinical applicability is limited (8,10,11).  Computed tomography (CT) is an objective imaging technique in evaluating the INV anatomy. In previous studies, CT findings were highly correlated with patients’ complaints and clinical examination findings (11,12). To the best of our knowledge, there has been no study examining changes in internal nasal valves using CT following Le Fort I surgery.

The purpose of this study was to explore changes in the INV area, INV angle and investigate associated parameters with the internal nasal valve, such as interalar width and external nasal valves.

Methods

Study Design

Ethics committee approval of this retrospective study was obtained from Istanbul Medipol University Ethics Committee (date: 07/01/2021, no: E-10840098-772.02-947). A written consent form was collected from each patient.  The sample consisted of thirty-two patients who underwent Le Fort I surgery between 2018 and 2020 in the Oral and Maxillofacial Department of Istanbul Medipol University Dentistry faculty.  Patients who had pre and postoperative CT (at least six months) were included in this study. The exclusion criteria were as follows: 1- Patients who underwent multi-piece Le Fort I osteotomy, 2- Patients with congenital deformities such as cleft lip and palate, 3- Patients with a previous history of surgery in internal and external nose 4- Patients with incomplete pre and postoperative CT records.

Measurement Methodology

On the cephalometric tracing module of NemoFab software (Nemotec S.L., Madrid, Spain), the horizontal distance between A point to Nasion Perpendicular was defined as maxillary advancement amount, the vertical distance between A point to Nasion point defined as anterior impaction amount. The rotation amount of maxilla was recorded by 3D surgical simulations on preoperative CT using NemoFab software. Positive values were given for maxillary advancement, superior movement of the maxilla, and left maxillary rotation. Negative values were given for maxillary setback, inferior movement of the maxilla, and right maxillary rotation. 

A multi-slice CT device (MSCT, Philips Brilliance ICT 256; Philips Medical Systems, Eindhoven, The Netherlands) (scan setting 120 kV, 150 mAs) was used slice thickness 0.75 to 1.25 mm. For measurements on internal nasal valves, pre and postoperative coronal CT scans were reformatted perpendicular to the anterior aspect of the estimated acoustic axis described by the previous study (Figure 1a) (13). They showed a correlation between acoustic rhinometry (AS) findings and coronal CT slice obtained at the acoustic axis. Slice of CT was obtained by RadiAnt DICOM 2.2.9 Viewer (Medixant, Poznan- Poland). Interalar width and external nasal valve area were measured on a surface model obtained from CT.

Following measurements were taken:

Right and left INV angle (r-INV angle-l-INV angle):  Defined as the angle between two lines passing from medial and lateral nasal airway lumen margins (Figure 1b).

Right and left INV area (r-INV area-l-INV area): Defined as the inner surface area of soft tissues of the nasal airway (Figure 1c).

Right and left external nasal valve area (r-ENV area-l-ENV area):  Inner surface area of right and left nostrils (Figure 2).

Interalar width: Distance between the right and left alar wing’s farthest points  (Figure 2).

Surgical Technique

Under general anesthesia, local anesthetic solution (2% lidocaine and epinephrine 1:1000,000 IU) was applied to the maxillary vestibular sulcus. Horizontal incision at vestibular sulcus was performed at the level of the mucogingival junction from the first premolar to the contralateral first molar. After incision, the anterior nasal spine, pyriform aperture, and lateral surface of the maxillary sinus were exposed. Le Fort I osteotomy was performed. Maxilla was fixed in the new position by four 2.0 mm mini plates (KLS Martin, Tuttlingen, Germany) and screws. Alar base cinch suture passing from the right and left alar base to a drilled hole on the anterior nasal spine was performed with 2.0 Nylon. This suture was tightened up to pre-measured alar base width. The wound edges were sutured with a 4.0 vicryl suture (Ethicon; Johnson and Johnson Medical, Norderstedt, Germany).

Statistical Analysis

The paired samples t-test was performed to compare pre and postoperative measurements using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS for Windows, version 18.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA). Pearson’s correlation test was used for correlations. P<0.05 was considered significant.

Results

This retrospective study included 32 patients (21 females, 11 males) with an average age of 24.6±6.71 years. The mean anterior movement, maxillary superior-inferior movement and rotation amount  were 3.08±2.47 mm (r=1 to 8 mm), 0.45±2.92 mm (r=-4.85 to 5.90 mm) and -0.32±1.38 mm (r=-3.65 to 2.2 mm) respectively (Table 1). Table 2 shows descriptive data for INV area, INV angle, ENV area, and interalar width. The mean INV area was 90.34±22.26 mm² for the right and 89.32±25.24 mm² for the left before surgery. This area was increased to 104.12±31.75 mm² for the right, and 101.18±31.31 mm² for the left following the surgery. The difference between pre and postoperative values was significant for both the right and left INV area (p1=0.005, p2=0.007). Right INV angle was increased in twenty-five patients (r=0.710 to 11.20), whereas it was decreased in seven patients (r=-6.940 to -0.190 to) (Figure 3). Left INV angle was increased in twenty-six patients (r=0.210 to 13.100), and it was decreased in five patients (r=-7.030 to -1.100) (Figure 3). The mean right and left INV angle was increased from 16.15±3.240 to 19.63±5.210 and from 15.93±3.260 to 19.17±4.430 respectively. These changes were also found significant for the right and left sides (p1=0.000, p2=0.007). The correlation between the left INV area and the left internal nasal angle was significant (p=0.000, r=0.583). Correlation between the right INV area and the right internal nasal angle was also significant (p=0.011, r=0.444). The total INV area was increased from 179.66±34.81 mm² at the preoperative period to 205.30±45.18 mm² at the postoperative period. These changes were found significant (p=000).

For the external nasal valve area, the preoperative area was 114.97±36.11 for the right side and 107.82±29.76 for the left side. Postoperative values were 123.52±34.04 for the right side and 115.20±30.24 for the left side. There was a significant difference between pre and postoperative values for the right and left sides (p1=0.000, p2=0.003).

Inter-alar width was increased from 35.87±4.15 mm preoperatively to 39.15±3.59 mm postoperatively, which was statistically significant (p=0.00). Correlation between inter-alar width and changes in total INV area was found borderline significant (p=0.051, r=0.814). Correlation between inter-alar width and maxillary impaction was found borderline significant (p=0.058, r=0.401).

Discussion

Le Fort I osteotomy has been routinely performed in patients with dentofacial deformity to correct malocclusion, and it has varying degrees of effect on nasal airway form and function (14). Due to that, the maxilla can be moved in any direction by Le Fort 1 osteotomy; total maxillary impaction can increase nasal airway resistance and interalar width in certain cases, which may cause a decrease in nasal airflow (15,16). A previous study has shown a higher tendency to nasal airway resistance and nasal obstruction seen in patients with maxillary constriction (17,18). The results presented here prove an increase in the nasal valve area, ENV, INV angle, and interalar width following Le Fort I surgery. This study’s most significant finding was a positive correlation between total INV area and interalar width. From this positive correlation, it can be commented that maxillary movements and supplementary surgical procedures such as alar cinch suture may affect INV area and angle by changing interalar width.

Many studies assessed nasal valves following Le Fort I surgery, and these studies used other methods such as AS and AR. Guenthner et al. (9) stated that nasal airway resistance following maxillary repositioning was assessed by rhinomanometry, and they found a negative correlation between impaction and airflow resistance. Erbe et al. (19) evaluated changes in nasal airway using rhinomanometry and found that the cross-sectional area at isthmus nasi increased significantly and correlated with interalar width. Haarmann et al. (20) evaluated nasal airway resistance in cases performed both rhinoplasty and orthognathic surgery and found that nasal airway resistance was decreased after combined surgery. Pourdanesh et al. (21) analyzed the effect of three different maxillary surgical movements on nasal airflow, volume, and resistance after Le Fort I osteotomy. They stated that maxillary advancement and impaction associated  with nasal resistance reduction, leading to improved nasal airflow. Oliveira et al. (22) found that nasal resistance was decreased, and the minimum nasal cross-sectional area was increased significantly after maxillary expansion. Yoon et al. (23) reported that INV angle and area were increased following rapid palatal expansion in pediatric patients. They also showed that the expansion amount of the maxilla had been positively correlated with nasal obstruction scores and INV angle. Similarly, another study stated a positive correlation between maxillary expansion and INV angle in adults (24). Doruk et al. (25) also found that nasal resistance decreased significantly after maxillary expansion. However, Baraldi et al. (26) assessed thirteen patients with maxillary transversal deficiency after surgically assisted maxillary expansion, and they found that the anterior minor cross-sectional area of nasal passage was not statistically different after the operation. Data from CT findings in the present study showed that widening of interalar distance increased INV area by opening nasal valves so nasal airway resistance could be reduced.

Measurements were made on a coronal slice of CT, which was perpendicular to the estimated acoustic axis on CT. Because it was stated in a previous study that there were strong correlations between CT slice obtained perpendicular to the acoustic axis and AS findings, while there was a weak correlation between AS findings and CT image that is perpendicular to the nasal floor (13).

Study Limitations

Due to the retrospective design of the present study, it has not been investigated the relationship between physical examination of nasal airway function and INV changes. The study’s strength was to examine the effect of Le Fort I osteotomy on the INV. Further prospective studies assessing the relation of physical examination of nasal airway function with INV changes following Le Fort I osteotomy could be carried out.

Conclusion

According to our findings, INV area and angle were affected to some degree by changes in interalar width, so movement direction of the maxilla or supplementary surgical procedures such as alar cinch suture, which are affecting interalar width should be kept in mind that it may change nasal airway resistance.