The effect of rapid maxillary expansion on nasal airway resistance

There has been a long-standing controversy over the efficacy of rapid maxillary expansion to relieve nasal obstruction and improve respiration. Recently rhinomanometry has provided a discipline for the investigation into nasal airway physiology with quantifiable parameters for evaluation and comparable studies. In this trial, a sample of 26 patients (13 male and 13 female, age range 10·10 to 19·6 years), receiving rapid maxillary expansion as part of their orthodontic mechano-therapy, were appraised for nasal airway resistance before and after expansion. The posterior rhinomanometric technique was used, measuring the respiratory flow between pharynx and the nostrils at a preset pressure difference between these two points. The formula for calculating the resistance is derived from the electrical Ohm's Law and requires that the pressure difference be divided by the flow. Reductions were recorded in all cases with an average of 36·2 per cent (range 11·6–58·6). The correlation between the resistance reductions and the delivered expansions (increases in trans-palatal widths) was weak (r = 0·32). In view of the probable significance of the liminal valve in nasal resistance, expansions in this area were assessed by changes in the transalar widths. The correlation between transalar increases and the trans-palatal expansions was weak (r = 0·115), as it was between the transalar increases and the reductions in nasal airway resistance (r = 0·30).

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Does rapid maxillary expansion increase nasopharyngeal space and improve nasal airway resistance?

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology ◽

10.1016/j.ijporl.2010.10.023 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 75 (1) ◽

pp. 122-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Marjorie Regina Eguren Langer ◽

Carla Enoki Itikawa ◽

Fabiana Cardoso Pereira Valera ◽

Mírian Aiko Nakane Matsumoto ◽

Wilma Terezinha Anselmo-Lima

Keyword(s):

Airway Resistance ◽

Rapid Maxillary Expansion ◽

Nasal Airway ◽

Maxillary Expansion ◽

Nasal Airway Resistance

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Objective assessment of nasal resistance among electronic cigarette users

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1017/s0022215121001432 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

S W Lim ◽

AB Zulkiflee

Keyword(s):

Tobacco Smoking ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Airway Resistance ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Objective Assessment ◽

Control Group ◽

Nasal Airway ◽

Nasal Resistance ◽

Short Term ◽

Nasal Airway Resistance

Abstract Background Electronic cigarettes have been a popular alternative to tobacco smoking. The effect of tobacco smoking on nasal airway resistance has been investigated before; however, the effect of the aerosol generated by electronic cigarettes is still unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of e-cigarettes on nasal airway resistance. Methods Sixty-one participants were recruited into a vapers group and a control group. The vapers group was instructed to smoke for 5 minutes, and their nasal resistance was measured pre-procedure and at 1 and 5 minutes post-procedure. The results were compared between both groups. Results Repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated that vaping has no statistically significant effect on total nasal airway resistance. Conclusion Although the differences between both groups were not statistically significant overall, the vapers group showed a reduction in nasal airway resistance in the short term.

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