Changes in Hyoid Bone Position and Cross-sectional Area of Pharyngeal Airway after Oral Cancer Surgery

Aim: To investigate hyoid bone position and cross-sectional area (CSA) of pharyngeal airway space (PAS) for assessing postoperative airway change after oral cancer surgery with concurrent neck dissection (ND). Patients and Methods: Fifty-two patients who underwent oral cancer surgery with concurrent ND were retrospectively evaluated by grouping based on ND type and reconstruction. Computed tomographic data were analyzed three-dimensionally before and after surgery. Results: The hyoid bone position differed significantly between preoperative and postoperative images in the anteroposterior and supero-inferior directions (p<0.05). CSA was increased after ND (p<0.05). The hyoid bone was positioned more superiorly in ND and fibular free-flap reconstruction groups compared to other groups (p<0.05). CSA of the PAS increased as the hyoid bone moved forward (p<0.05). Conclusion: The hyoid bone moves forward and upward after oral cancer surgery with concurrent ND, which increases the CSA of the PAS. These results provide the useful insight into managing a patient’s airway after oral cancer surgery with ND.