Journal of the Korean Society of Visualization (한국가시화정보학회지)

The Korean Society of Visualization (한국가시화정보학회)
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Flow Characteristics of Upper Airway After Neck Dissection and Reconstructive Surgery in Tongue Cancer Patients

설암 환자에서 경부청소술 및 재건술에 따른 수술 전 후 기도 내 공기 유동 특성

  • Jae Min Song (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, PNU) ;
  • Heerim Seo (School of Mechanical Engineering, PNU) ;
  • Eunseop Yeom (School of Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University (PNU))
  • Received : 2024.06.11
  • Accepted : 2024.07.19
  • Published : 2024.07.31
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Abstract

This study examined changes in airway airflow characteristics before and after extensive surgery for tongue cancer, which includes neck dissection and reconstruction. Pre- and post-operative CBCT scans were used to model 3D upper airways. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations analyzed airflow and pressure variations. Results showed a significant reduction in airway volume post-surgery, especially in the posterior tongue and epiglottis areas, leading to increased airflow velocity and complex vortex formations. Pressure drop analysis revealed that post-surgery, higher negative pressure is required for inhalation, indicating increased breathing effort. This suggests that the surgical removal of cancerous tissues and lymph nodes, along with reconstruction, alters airway geometry significantly, potentially impacting respiratory function. The findings highlight the clinical importance of assessing airway changes in tongue cancer surgery to anticipate and mitigate postoperative respiratory complications.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 과제는 2021학년도 부산대학교 교수국외 장기파견 지원비에 의하여 연구되었음.

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