Significant changes in respiration, craniofacial development, and posture: A multidisciplinary study on the effects...

The objective of this study was to assess changes in respiratory patterns, craniofacial development, and head and neck and overall body posture in children who have undergone early adenoidectomy and those who have not.

This multidisciplinary study was conducted in collaboration with the Departments of Otolaryngology, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, and Orthodontics. Patients diagnosed with adenoid vegetation who did not undergo surgery (group 1: n = 31; mean age 7.90 ± 1.55 years) and those who underwent early surgery (group 2: n = 30; mean age 8.30 ± 1.39 years) were included. The control group (group 3: n = 30; mean age 8.30 ± 1.39 years) consisted of subjects with no pathology causing respiratory obstruction and normal nasal breathing. Lateral and posteroanterior cephalograms, dental casts, the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale, and peak nasal inspiratory flow measurements were used for evaluation. Postural analysis was conducted using 3-dimensional motion analysis with Kinect sensors. Statistical comparisons were performed among groups.

A difference was found among groups in respiratory parameters, and correlation analysis showed that these parameters were consistent with each other (P <0.05). However, no difference was observed in posture measurements among the groups (P >0.05). Although statistically significant differences were found among groups in the skeletal, dental, and soft tissue cephalometric parameters, significant correlations were also found between intergonial, interzygomatic distance, and corpus lengths with the respiratory parameters (P <0.05). Although no significant correlation was observed between the dental cast analysis values and the respiratory parameters, there was a statistically significant difference in intercanine distance among groups (P <0.05).

Early adenoidectomy improves respiratory and craniofacial growth, resembling normal nasal breathing. Delayed surgery leads to persistent mouth-breathing and negative growth outcomes. Close collaboration between otolaryngologists and orthodontists is essential for optimal management.