Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to P Lismonde.
Bearing in mind the theoretical basis of rhinomanometry, the importance of the nasal air-flow type is underlined. Flow rates, laminar resistance, indications as to the type of nasal flow and value of mixed resistance can be obtained on line by computerized rhinomanometry.
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of rapid maxillary expansion on nasal airflow studies and mouth breathing habit. 15 children aged from 5 to 12 years underwent rapid palatal expansion for orthodontic abnormalities. Otolaryngologic evaluation, computerized active anterior rhinomanometric measurements and oral myo-functional disorder examination were obtained before treatment, 2 months after expansion and after a retention period of approximately 10/12 months. Based on this multidisciplinary judgment and confirmed by the rhinomanometric values two groups could be distinguished: a group of predominantly mouth breathers where the nasal airway resistance had an average decrease of 34% and a group of predominantly nasal breathers where the nasal airway resistance had an average decrease of less than 5%. From the initial 8 predominantly mouth breathers before treatment only 2 remained clinically unchanged. From these results it was concluded that for the 15 children involved in this study rapid maxillary expansion affected the nasal airway patency in a way tailored to the initial deficiency and had a significative effect on the respiratory mode.