Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025
Author Spotlight: Development of a Novel Finite Element Analysis Model for Improved Orthognathic Surgical Techniques
Published on: October 20, 2023
Does rapid maxillary expansion improve nasal airway obstruction? A computer fluid dynamics study in patients with
Rina Sakoda-Iwata1, Tomonori Iwasaki2, Toshiya Tsujii1
1Field of Developmental Medicine, Health Research Course, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan.
Introduction:
Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) expands the maxillary dentition laterally and improves nasal airway obstruction. However, the incidence of nasal airway obstruction improvement after RME is approximately 60%. This study aimed to clarify the beneficial effects of RME on nasal airway obstruction in specific pathologic nasal airway diseases (nasal mucosa hypertrophy and obstructive adenoids) using computer fluid dynamics.
Methods:
Sixty subjects (21 boys; mean age 9.1 years) were divided into 3 groups according to their nasal airway condition (control, nasal mucosa hypertrophy, and obstructive adenoids), and those requiring RME had cone-beam computed tomography images taken before and after RME. These data were used to evaluate the nasal airway ventilation condition (pressure) using computer fluid dynamics and measure the cross-sectional area of the nasal airway.
Results:
The cross-sectional area of the nasal airway significantly increased after RME in all 3 groups. The pressures in the control and nasal mucosa groups significantly reduced after RME but did not change significantly in the adenoid group. The incidence of improvement in nasal airway obstruction in the control, nasal mucosa, and adenoid groups was 90.0%, 31.6%, and 23.1%, respectively.
Conclusions:
The incidence of improvement in nasal airway obstruction after RME depends on the nasal airway condition (nasal mucosa hypertrophy and obstructive adenoids). In patients with nonpathologic nasal airway conditions, the obstruction may be sufficiently improved with RME. Furthermore, to some extent, RME may be effective in treating nasal mucosa hypertrophy. However, because of obstructive adenoids, RME was ineffective in patients with nasal airway obstruction.
More Related Videos
15:04Modeling and Simulations of Olfactory Drug Delivery with Passive and Active Controls of Nasally Inhaled Pharmaceutical Aerosols
Published on: May 20, 2016
06:13Endoscopic Septoplasty with Limited Two-line Resection: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Septal Deviation
Published on: June 20, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:29Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
01:19Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
01:29Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract....
01:25Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...