The effect of rapid maxillary expansion on the upper airway’s aerodynamic characteristics

Abstract Background The effect of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the upper airway (UA) has been studied earlier but without a consistent conclusion. This study aims to evaluate outcome RME UA function in terms aerodynamic characteristics by applying computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. Methods retrospective cohort consists seventeen cases with two consecutive CBCT scans obtained before (T0) and after (T1) RME. Patients were divided into groups respect patency nasopharyngeal as expressed adenoidal ratio (AN): group 1 was comprised patients an AN < 0.6 2 encompassing those ? 0.6. CFD simulation at inspiration expiration performed based three-dimensional (3D) models segmented from images. pressure drop (?P), maximum midsagittal velocity (V ms ), wall shear stress (P ws ) compared paired t-test Wilcoxon test according normality T0 T1. Results revealed no statistically significant difference V (m/s) decreased 2.79 2.28 ( P = 0.057). Conclusion not significantly changed Further studies more are warranted.