Evaluation of the posterior airway space following Biobloc therapy: geometric morphometrics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the posterior airway space in patients following Biobloc therapy, using geometric morphometrics. Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalographs of 53 children (mean age, 12.9 +/- 1.5 years; mean treatment time, 21.3 +/- 6.2 months) were scanned and 27 landmarks encompassing the airway were digitized. Mean configurations were computed using Procrustes superimposition, followed by principal components analysis (PCA) and finite-element scaling analysis (FESA). Marked shape-changes were identified using PCA for the airway following treatment (p < 0.01). Using pseudo-colored FESA, a relative 31% increase in nasopharyngeal airway area was found above and behind the soft palate. Additionally, a 23% increase in oropharyngeal airway area was located behind the base of the tongue with a 9% increase in hypopharyngeal area near the level of the hyoid bone. Functional airway improvements are associated with Biobloc treatment in actively growing patients.