title: Nasal cavity size, airway resistance, and subjective sensation after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion: a prospective longitudinal study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims of this study were to measure changes in nasal minimum cross-sectional area and nasal airway resistance after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion and to explore a possible correlation with the subjective sensation of nasal obstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Minimum cross-sectional area and nasal airway resistance were measured in 39 consecutive patients treated with surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion. Subjective nasal obstruction was assessed by a questionnaire at pretreatment and at 3 and 18 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjective nasal obstruction had improved significantly by 3 months postoperatively. Minimum cross-sectional area increased and nasal airway resistance decreased. No correlations were found. In subjects with pretreatment subjective nasal obstruction and initially narrow anterior minimum cross-sectional area, there was a significant correlation between a moderate increase in anterior minimum cross-sectional area and improvement in perceived nasal obstruction. Eighteen months postoperatively, no changes were found from pretreatment values for subjective nasal obstruction, minimal cross-sectional area, or nasal airway resistance, and there were no correlations. Subjects with a sensation of nasal obstruction at treatment start reported a lasting significant subjective improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The postoperative effects of surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion did not persist in the long term. No correlation was found between objective and subjective findings. Subjects with pretreatment nasal obstruction, however, reported a lasting sensation of improved nasal function after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion.
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education, Jönköping, Sweden. anders.magnusson@lj.se
authors: Anders
authors: A
authors: Magnusson
authors: Krister
authors: K
authors: Bjerklin
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Nilsson
authors: Fredrik
authors: F
authors: Jönsson
authors: Agneta
authors: A
authors: Marcusson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D003393:Cranial Sutures / Q000601:surgery; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000628:therapy; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D055171:Nasal Cartilages / Q000473:pathology; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D014420:Turbinates / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult