[Preliminary study on efficacy and safety of submucosal plasma ablation of inferior turbinate in children with allergic rhinitis complicated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the long-term clinical efficacy and safety of inferior turbinate submucosal plasma ablation combined with or without tonsillar and adenoid surgery in children with allergic rhinitis（AR） combined with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome（OSAS） who were ineffective after conservative systemic treatment. Methods:A total of 43 children with AR complicated with OSAS who met the inclusion criteria among 68 children hospitalized from January 2019 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The data were collected, including the clinical characteristics, surgical methods perioperative management and prevention and treatment of complications. Moreover, one year follow-up was performed to compare the VAS scores of children before and after surgery, and to evaluate their mid-term and long-term outcomes. Results:The average operation time was 36 minutes, meanwhile, the intraoperative blood was limited. The symptoms of nasal congestion, runny nose, sleep snoring, and mouth breathing were significantly improved after operation, and the results were satisfactory after one-year follow-up without complications such as bleeding, hematoma, intraoperative adhesion, and nasal dryness. Conclusion:Submucosal plasma ablation of inferior turbinate with or without tonsillectomy adenoidectomy in children with AR can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of AR combined with OSAS children who are ineffective after conservative treatment. It can improve the symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing such as sleep snoring and mouth breathing, with good mid-and long-term curative effects and fewer complications, which is an effective and safe treatment for children with AR combined with OSAS.

The influence of mouth breathing on skeletal and dental features of splanchnocranium.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate changes in dentofacial characteristics associated with mouth breathing (MB) and adenoidectomy. BACKGROUND: MB is considered to be an etiological factor of malocclusion. Adenoidectomy is supposed to have the ability to prevent the development of dentofacial deformities. METHODS: This retrospective study included 123 patients, namely 57 nose breathers, 19 former mouth breathers, who have undergone adenoidectomy, and 47 mouth breathers. The groups were compared according to their skeletal and dental characteristics. The measurements of each individual were obtained from lateral cephalograms and dental casts. The comparison was done using one-way ANOVA, Bonferroni post-hoc, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The statistically significant difference was defined as p<0.05. RESULTS: The MB group showed an increase in ArGoMe (p=0.02) angle. No difference was found in the sagittal parameters among the groups. Upper dental arch compression was positively correlated with MB(p=0.00), even in adenoidectomy cases (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: MB alters the vertical and transverse growth of the craniofacial complex. It is associated with longer lower anterior facial height and decreased maxillary intermolar distance. However, it does not influence the sagittal parameters. Airway clearance via adenoidectomy promotes the normalization of vertical parameters (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 20).

Características do sono de crianças respiradoras orais encaminhadas para realização de adenoidectomia e/ou amigdalectomia / Sleep characteristics in oral breathers pre adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy / Características del sueño de los niños respiradores orales encaminados para la realización de adenoidectomía y/o amigdalectomía

Introdução: A respiração oral acarreta diversas modificações na vida das crianças sendo uma delas as alterações na qualidade do sono, podendo ter impacto no desenvolvimento infantil. Objetivo: Compreender as características do sono de crianças com diagnóstico de respiração oral encaminhadas para a realização de cirurgias de adenoidectomia e/ou amigdalectomia prescritas pelo médico otorrinolaringologista, a partir das informações da família e das próprias crianças. Método: Estudo observacional, analítico, transversal e quantitativo, realizado com 100 crianças de ambos os sexos, com faixa etária entre cinco e 12 anos, divididas em dois grupos, sendo 50 crianças com respiração oral (GP) e 50 crianças sem diagnóstico de alteração respiratória (GC). A avaliação foi baseada no protocolo MBGR, classificação de Mallampati. Após a coleta, os dados foram tabulados e analisados estatisticamente a partir das variáveis queixa, qualidade e características do sono e classificação de Mallampati. Resultados: Os pais e/ou responsáveis não referiram espontaneamente informações relacionadas ao sono. Quando indagados sobre a qualidade do sono houve predomínio de sintomas para o GP. As principais queixas relacionadas ao sono foram ronco, sialorreia, agitação, boca seca, boca aberta, sono fragmentado, com maior ocorrência para o GP. Quanto à classificação de Mallampati houve predomínio dos graus II e III para o GP e grau I para o GC. Conclusão: Crianças respiradoras orais apresentam maior número de queixas referidas por pais/responsáveis em relação à qualidade do sono quando comparadas às crianças respiradoras nasais.

Introduction: Oral breathing entails several changes in the life of children, one of them being changes in sleep quality, which may have an impact on child development. Objective: To understand the sleep characteristics of children diagnosed with oral breathing referred for adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy surgeries prescribed by the otorhinolaryngologist, based on information from the family and the children themselves. Method: An observational, analytical, cross-sectional and quantitative study was carried out on 100 children of both sexes, with age range 5 and 12 years, divided into two groups: 50 children with oral breathing (EG) and 50 children without respiratory disorder (CG). The evaluation was based on the MBGR protocol, Mallampati score. After collection, the data were tabulated and analyzed statistically from the variables complaint, sleep quality and characteristics and Mallampati classification. Results: Parents and/or caregivers did not spontaneously report sleep-related information. When asked about sleep quality there was a predominance of symptoms for the EG. The main complaints related to sleep were snoring, sialorrhea, agitation, dry mouth, open mouth, fragmented sleep, with higher occurrence for the EG. Regarding the classification of Mallampati, there was a predominance of classes II and III for the EG and class I for the CG. Conclusion: Oral breathing children have a higher number of complaints reported by parents / guardians regarding sleep quality compared to nasal breathing children.

Introducción: La respiración oral acarrea diversas modificaciones en la vida de los niños siendo una de ellas las alteraciones en la calidad del sueño pudiendo tener impacto en el desarrollo infantil. Objetivo: Comprender las características del sueño de niños con diagnóstico d respiración oral encaminadas para la realización de cirugías de adenoidectomía y/o amigdalectomía prescritas por el médico otorrinolaringólogo, a partir de las informaciones de la familia y de los propios niños. Método: estudio observacional, analítico, transversal y cuantitativo, realizado con 100 niños de ambos sexos, con rango de edad entre cinco y 12 años, divididos en dos grupos, siendo 50 niños con respiración oral (GE) y 50 niños sin diagnóstico de cambio respiratorio (GC). La evaluación se basó em el protocolo MBGR, la clasificación de Mallampati. Después de la recolección, los datos fueron tabulados y analizados estadísticamente de las variables queja, calidad y características del sueño y clasificación de Mallampati. Resultados: Los padres y/o tutores no mencionaron espontáneamente información relacionada con el sueño. Cuando se indagó sobre la calidad del sueño hubo predominio de síntomas para el GE. Las principales quejas relacionadas con el sueño fueron ronquidos, sialorrea, agitación, boca seca, boca abierta, sueño fragmentado, con mayor ocurrencia para el GE. En cuanto a la clasificación de Mallampati hubo predominio de las clases II y III para el GE y clase I para el GC. Conclusión: Los niños con respiración oral tienen un mayor número de quejas reportadas por los padres / tutores con respecto a la calidad del sueño en comparación con los niños con respiración nasal.

Impact of adenotonsilectomy on nasal airflow and pulmonary blood pressure in mouth breathing children.

INTRODUCTION: Adenotonsillar hyperplasia (ATH) causing upper airway obstruction (UAO) may increase pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). Early diagnosis and mouth breathing (MB) management may help in cases of high PASP. Total inspiratory nasal airflow (TINAF) obtained by active anterior rhinomanometry (AARM) is a means to quantify nasal patency. This study aimed to correlate TINAF with high PASP. METHODS: This is a prospective study involving 30 children between two and twelve years of age, with indication for adenotonsillectomy due to ATH, evaluated before and six months after surgery; and 29 nasal breathing (NB) children in the same age group. We obtained the PASP, calculated for tricuspid regurgitation, by means of a transthoracic echocardiography. We assessed nasal patency using the AARM to estimate the TINAF. RESULTS: The mean PASP among mouth breathing children was 25.99 mmHg, with a Standard Deviation of (±) 3.27, p = 0.01 in the preoperative period; and 21.79 mmHg (±2.48; p = 0.01) in the postoperative period. Among nasal breathers, this mean value was 21.64 mmHg (±3.87, p = 0.01). The mean pre-operative TINAF was 266.76 cm3/s (±112.21, p = 0.01); and 498.93 cm3/s (±137.80, p = 0.01) after surgery. Among nasal breathers it was 609.37 cm3/s (±109.16; p = 0.01). The mean nasal patency in the preoperative period was 42.85% (±17.83; p = 0.01); and 79.33% (±21.35; p = 0.01) in the post-op. Among nasal breathers it was 112.94% (±15.88, p = 0.01). There was a significant Spearman correlation value between TINAF and PASP (r = -0.459; p = 0.01) when we analyzed all the groups. CONCLUSION: PASP and TINAF values improved postoperatively and had an inverse correlation. This study suggests that by improving TINAF there was a decrease in PASP.

The effect of adenotonsillectomy on the position of head, cervical and thoracic spine and scapular girdle of mouth breathing children.

The clinical decision for surgical treatment of children diagnosed with mouth breathing depends on the percentage of mechanical obstruction correlated with exacerbation of upper respiratory tract infections and systemic changes. The benefits of adenotonsillectomy include changes in the nasopharyngeal space, the mandibular plane and myofunctional alterations. Post-adenotonsilectomy postural benefits have not yet been described. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the kinematics of the shoulder girdle, cervical and thoracic spine in children with mouth breathing before and after adenotonsillectomy. METHODS: Forty-nine mouth breathing children (6.3 ±â€¯1.8 years) of both sexes participated in the study. The measures of thoracic kyphosis, forward head position, shoulders protrusion and abduction, elevation, anterior tilt and internal rotation of the scapula were evaluated before and after surgery. The kinematic data were obtained using the system Qualysis ProReflex®. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in forward head position, shoulders protrusion, elevation and anterior tilt of the scapula after surgery compared to the pre-operative. CONCLUSION: One of adenotonsillectomy results is the improvement of the posture of the head and the shoulder girdle of mouth breathing children. Clinically these findings are important and will contribute to improving the quality of life of mouth breathing children.

Rapid maxillary expansion in mouth breathers: a short-term skeletal and soft-tissue effect on the nose / Expansão rápida da maxila em respiradores orais: efeitos esqueléticos e tegumentares do nariz em curto prazo

Abstract Introduction Rapid maxillary expansion can change the form and function of the nose. The skeletal and soft tissue changes can influence the esthetics and the stability of the results obtained by the procedure. Objective The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the short-term effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the skeletal and soft tissue structures of the nose, in mouth-breathing patients, using a reliable and reproducible, but simple methodology, with the aid of computed tomography. Methods A total of 55 mouth-breathing patients with maxillary hypoplasia were assessed and were divided into an experimental group treated with rapid maxillary expansion(39 patients, 23 of which were male and 16 female, with an average age of 9.7 years and a standard deviation of 2.28, ranging from 6.5 to 14.7 years) and a control group (16 patients, 9 of which were male and 7 female, with an average age of 8.8 years, standard deviation of 2.17, ranging from 5.11 to 13.7 years). The patients of the experimental group were submitted to multislice computed tomography examinations at two different points in time: (T1) pre-rapid maxillary expansion and (T2) three months after the procedure. The control group underwent to the same exams at the same intervals of time. Four skeletal and soft tissue variables were assessed, comparing the results of T1 and T2. Results There was in the experimental group a significant increases in all the skeletal and soft tissue variables (p < 0.05) but no significant alteration was found in the control group. When comparing the experimental group and the control group, the most important change occurred in the width of the pyriform aperture (p < 0.001). Conclusion Rapid maxillary expansion is capable of altering the shape and function of the nose, promoting alterations in skeletal and soft tissue structures. This kind of study may, in the future, permit the proper planning of esthetic procedures at the tip and base of the nose and also the performance of objective measurements in early or late surgical outcomes.

Resumo Introdução A expansão rápida da maxila pode alterar a forma e a função do nariz. As alterações do esqueleto e dos tecidos moles podem influenciar a estética e a estabilidade dos resultados obtidos através deste procedimento. Objetivo Avaliar, em curto prazo, os efeitos da expansão rápida da maxila sobre as estruturas esqueléticas e tegumentares do nariz em pacientes respiradores orais por meio de uma metodologia confiável e reprodutível, porém simples, com a ajuda da tomografia computadorizada. Método Foram avaliados 55 pacientes respiradores orais com hipoplasia maxilar que foram divididos em grupo experimental tratado com expansão rápida da maxila (39, 23 do sexo masculino e 16 do feminino, com média de 9,7 anos e desvio padrão de 2,28, variação de 6,5 a 14,7 anos) e um grupo controle (16 pacientes, nove do sexo masculino e sete do feminino, com média de 8,8 anos, desvio padrão de 2,17, variação de 5,11-13,7 anos). Os pacientes do grupo experimental foram submetidos a exames de tomografia computadorizada multislice em dois tempos distintos: (T1) pré-expansão rápida da maxila e (T2) três meses após o procedimento. O grupo controle foi submetido aos mesmos exames nos mesmos intervalos de tempo. Foram avaliadas quatro variáveis esqueléticas e quatro tegumentares comparando-se os resultados de T1 e T2. Resultados O grupo experimental apresentou aumentos significativos em todas as variáveis esqueléticas e tegumentares (p < 0,05), mas não houve alterações significativas no grupo controle. Ao compararem-se o grupo experimental e o grupo controle, foi observado que a alteração mais importante ocorreu na largura da abertura piriforme (p < 0,001). Conclusão A expansão rápida da maxila é capaz de alterar a forma e a função do nariz, promove alterações nas estruturas esqueléticas e dos tecidos moles. Esse tipo de estudo pode, no futuro, permitir o planejamento adequado de procedimentos estéticos na ponta e base do nariz e também a feitura de medidas objetivas em resultados cirúrgicos iniciais ou tardios.

Rapid maxillary expansion in mouth breathers: a short-term skeletal and soft-tissue effect on the nose.

INTRODUCTION: Rapid maxillary expansion can change the form and function of the nose. The skeletal and soft tissue changes can influence the esthetics and the stability of the results obtained by the procedure. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the short-term effects of rapid maxillary expansion on the skeletal and soft tissue structures of the nose, in mouth-breathing patients, using a reliable and reproducible, but simple methodology, with the aid of computed tomography. METHODS: A total of 55 mouth-breathing patients with maxillary hypoplasia were assessed and were divided into an experimental group treated with rapid maxillary expansion(39 patients, 23 of which were male and 16 female, with an average age of 9.7 years and a standard deviation of 2.28, ranging from 6.5 to 14.7 years) and a control group (16 patients, 9 of which were male and 7 female, with an average age of 8.8 years, standard deviation of 2.17, ranging from 5.11 to 13.7 years). The patients of the experimental group were submitted to multislice computed tomography examinations at two different points in time: (T1) pre-rapid maxillary expansion and (T2) three months after the procedure. The control group underwent to the same exams at the same intervals of time. Four skeletal and soft tissue variables were assessed, comparing the results of T1 and T2. RESULTS: There was in the experimental group a significant increases in all the skeletal and soft tissue variables (p<0.05) but no significant alteration was found in the control group. When comparing the experimental group and the control group, the most important change occurred in the width of the pyriform aperture (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Rapid maxillary expansion is capable of altering the shape and function of the nose, promoting alterations in skeletal and soft tissue structures. This kind of study may, in the future, permit the proper planning of esthetic procedures at the tip and base of the nose and also the performance of objective measurements in early or late surgical outcomes.

Piriformeplastia associada à rinoplastia aberta / Pyriform plasty associated with open rhinoplasty

Introdução: A respiração bucal ou mista desde a infância, por fatores alérgicos que causam hipertrofia de cornetos e adenoides ou desvio septal traumático no parto ou por traumas na primeira infância, provoca incorreto desenvolvimento da face com o palato ogival, crescimento excessivo da crista maxilar, alterações na arcada dentária e hipomaxilismo, por falta de aeração dos seios paranasais. O septo com limitado espaço para de crescer empurra o arcabouço osteocartilaginoso cranialmente, originando a giba nasal com desvios do septo, comprometendo a respiração nasal. Método: A piriformeplastia mediante incisão no sulco gengivolabial permite amplo acesso à crista maxilar e ao palato ogival. A crista maxilar é desgastada com broca e o palato é modelado ou pode ter sua cúpula removida subperiostealmente. Resultados: A rinoplastia aberta facilita a abordagem e a fixação dos enxertos alargadores para tratar as alterações da válvula interna e prevenir retrações cicatriciais ao nível da gaiola cartilaginosa, além dos enxertos estruturais na columela para projeção e evitar retração cicatricial neste nível. A abordagem aberta permite também a simetrização das estruturas nasais, que possibilita o tratamento das laterorrinias num tempo único e a correção da válvula nasal externa por meio dos enxertos específicos. A piriformeplastia permite ainda a abordagem mais abrangente das alterações nasais estéticas e funcionais. Conclusão: A rinoplastia aberta é por nós preferida dada a facilidade de fixação dos enxertos, bem como dos enxertos alargadores para tratamento das alterações da válvula interna com o objetivo de prevenir futuros problemas respiratórios.

Introduction: Mouth or mixed breathing since childhood that is due to allergy factors causing turbinate hypertrophy and adenoids, or traumatic septal deviation at childbirth or first trauma in childhood leads to the impairment of facial development, including ogival palate, excessive growth of the maxillary crest, changes in the dental arch, and small jawbone. Mouth or mixed breathing may be due to the lack of aeration of the paranasal sinuses. A septum with limited space for growing pushes the osteocartilaginous framework cranially, originating from the nasal hump with septal deviations and gibbus. Consequently, this hampers nasal breathing. Method: Pyriform plasty by incision in the gingivolabial sulcus allows broad access to the maxillary crest and ogival palate. The maxillary crest is worn out with a drill, and the palate is modeled or may have its dome subperiosteally removed. Results: Open rhinoplasty facilitates the approach and fixation of graft reamers to treat changes in the internal valve and prevents scar reactions at the level of the cage cartilage grafts and structure of the columella to project and prevent a cartilaginous scar retraction at this level. The open approach also enables the symmetrization of nasal structures, which allows the treatment of bent nose at a single time, and correction of nasal valve by using external grafts. Moreover, pyriform plasty is a more comprehensive approach to nasal aesthetic and functional nasal alterations. Conclusion: Our preferred techniques are open rhinoplasty, given the ease of graft fixation, and use of reamer grafts to treat changes in the internal valve to prevent future respiratory problems.

Is the difference in the volume of the pharyngeal space, as measured by acoustic pharyngometry, before and after tonsillectomy proportional to the volume of the excised tonsils?

OBJECTIVE: Adenotonsillectomy is recognized as an effective therapy for snoring and sleep disorders in children. It is important to understand whether adenotonsillectomy significantly increases the volume of the pharyngeal space. The goal of this study was to evaluate the change in oropharyngeal volume after adenotonsillectomy and the correlation of this change with the objective volume of the tonsils and body mass index. METHODS: We included 27 subjects (14 males) with snoring caused by tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy. The mean age of the subjects was 7.92 (±2.52) years. Children with craniofacial malformations or neuromuscular diseases or syndromes were excluded. The parents/caregivers answered an adapted questionnaire regarding sleep-disordered breathing. All patients were subjected to weight and height measurements and body mass index was calculated. The subjects underwent pharyngometry before and after adenotonsillectomy and the volume of both excised tonsils together was measured in cm3 in the operating room. RESULTS: Pharyngometric analysis showed that the mean pharyngeal volume was 28.63 (±5.57) cm3 before surgery and 31.23 (±6.76) cm3 after surgery; the volume of the oropharynx was significantly increased post-surgery (p=0.015, Wilcoxon test). No correlation was found between the objective tonsil volume and the post-surgical volume increase (p=0.6885). There was a fair correlation between the oropharyngeal volume and body mass index (p=0.0224). CONCLUSION: Adenotonsillectomy increases the volume of the pharyngeal space, but this increase does not correlate with the objective tonsil size. Furthermore, greater BMI was associated with a smaller increase in the pharyngeal volume. Oropharyngeal structures and craniofacial morphology may also play a role in the increase in oropharyngeal volume.

Maxillary dentoskeletal changes 1-year after adenotonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the maxillary dentoskeletal and soft tissue changes of severely obstructed mouth breathing (MB) young children who had their mode of breathing normalized after adenotonsillectomy (T&A), in comparison with a matched group of severely obstructed untreated MB children (CG). METHODS: Seventy patients who had an Ear, Nose, and Throat examination (ENT), including flexible nasal endoscopy, to confirm the severe obstruction of the upper airways and the indication of T&A composed the sample. Cephalograms and dental casts were available from the patient's orthodontic records. Treatment group (TG) and CG included 35 children each. Groups were matched by gender (24 males and 11 females in each group), age (TG, 6.7 ± 1.8 years; CG, 6.9 ± 2.3 years), tooth development (TG, 13 primary dentition, 22 mixed dentition; CG, 14 primary dentition, 21 mixed dentition), and skeletal maturation status. Records were taken at baseline (T0) and 1-year after T&A (T1) for TG; while CG records were taken with a 1-year interval. Dentoskeletal measurements were performed in the lateral cephalograms, and dental casts were used to assess the palatal volume and occlusal changes. RESULTS: TG showed a significant increase (503.3 mm(3), P < 0.001) in the palatal volume (10% of change), while CG palatal volume was stable. No dimensional occlusal changes were detected between T0 and T1 in both groups. Significant downward (point A, 2.1 mm; ANS, 2.1 mm) and forward displacements (point A, 0.7 mm; ANS, 1 mm) of the anterior region of the maxilla were observed in the TG, but CG presented only significant downward displacement (point A, 1.8 mm; ANS, 1.4 mm). The maxillary posterior region (PNS, PTM, and Molar) displaced downward in both groups (P < 0.05), however no sagittal change was found. The palatal plane inclination was stable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: TG presented significant increase in the palatal volume and in the forward displacement of the maxilla. No other significant maxillary dentoskeletal changes were found.

Is the difference in the volume of the pharyngeal space, as measured by acoustic pharyngometry, before and after tonsillectomy proportional to the volume of the excised tonsils?

OBJECTIVE: Adenotonsillectomy is recognized as an effective therapy for snoring and sleep disorders in children. It is important to understand whether adenotonsillectomy significantly increases the volume of the pharyngeal space. The goal of this study was to evaluate the change in oropharyngeal volume after adenotonsillectomy and the correlation of this change with the objective volume of the tonsils and body mass index. METHODS: We included 27 subjects (14 males) with snoring caused by tonsil and adenoid hypertrophy. The mean age of the subjects was 7.92 (±2.52) years. Children with craniofacial malformations or neuromuscular diseases or syndromes were excluded. The parents/caregivers answered an adapted questionnaire regarding sleep-disordered breathing. All patients were subjected to weight and height measurements and body mass index was calculated. The subjects underwent pharyngometry before and after adenotonsillectomy and the volume of both excised tonsils together was measured in cm3 in the operating room. RESULTS: Pharyngometric analysis showed that the mean pharyngeal volume was 28.63 (±5.57) cm3 before surgery and 31.23 (±6.76) cm3 after surgery; the volume of the oropharynx was significantly increased post-surgery (p=0.015, Wilcoxon test). No correlation was found between the objective tonsil volume and the post-surgical volume increase (p=0.6885). There was a fair correlation between the oropharyngeal volume and body mass index (p=0.0224). CONCLUSION: Adenotonsillectomy increases the volume of the pharyngeal space, but this increase does not correlate with the objective tonsil size. Furthermore, greater BMI was associated with a smaller increase in the pharyngeal volume. Oropharyngeal structures and craniofacial morphology may also play a role in the increase in oropharyngeal volume.

Three-dimensional evaluation of superior airway space after orthognathic surgery with counterclockwise rotation and advancement of the maxillomandibular complex in Class II patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess changes in the superior airway space (SAS) in Class II patients undergoing orthognathic surgery with counterclockwise rotation of the maxillomandibular complex (MMC). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 23 patients (15 females and 8 males; mean age, 33 years) with symptoms of respiratory disease (mouth breathing) were studied. The patients were subjected to computed tomography analyses at two time intervals: T1 (preoperatively) and T2 (postoperative minimum of 6 months). The computed tomography images were exported to Dolphin Imaging 11.5 software to measure the surface area, minimum axial area, and volume of the SAS. RESULTS: The surgery (including a median mandibular advancement of 14 mm with an average rotation of 8 degrees) significantly increased the static SAS, with mean postoperative increases of 178 mm(2) in SA, 76.67 mm(2) in minimum axial area, and 10118.5 mm(3) in volume. A significant increase was also observed in the three-dimensional airspace following orthognathic surgery, which provided a greater permeability of the SAS in Class II patients. CONCLUSIONS: This confirmed the efficacy of this technique in the treatment of respiratory disorders.

Muscular and functional changes following adenotonsillectomy in children.

BACKGROUND: It is recognized that adenotonsillar hypertrophy leads to muscular and functional changes in face, and that adenotonsillectomy is associated to improvement in this condition. However, the ideal interval one should wait until this spontaneous recovery is not well defined, neither if this recovery is expected to be complete or partial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the muscular and functional changes in face of children prior and after adenotonsillectomy in a monthly evaluation. METHODS: 8 children aged from 4 to 6 years were prospectively studied. All patients underwent adenotonsillectomy, and were assessed before and monthly-after surgery up to 6 months, through the Protocol of Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (OMES). RESULTS: There was a progressive improvement in OMES score in all measured parameters, including the "mobility" and "posture" sub-tests; this improvement was significant at the first month after surgery. The sub-test "function" was not affected by surgery. Improvement continued from the first to the sixth month after surgery, although it was not significant between these two periods. Additionally, all parameters remained altered after the final evaluation at six months. There was a significant correlation between the improvement in "mobility" sub-test and in total score of OMES. CONCLUSION: We observed a partial recovery in facial muscular and functional changes following adenotonsillectomy, particularly during the first month after surgery. This improvement was especially observed in the "mobility" and "posture" sub-tests. We conclude that waiting for a spontaneous muscular and functional facial recovery during the first month post-operatively seems reasonable. Nevertheless, after this period, if the patient fails to achieve recovery, it may be advised that this child should undergo myofunctional therapy.

Changes in nasal air flow and school grades after rapid maxillary expansion in oral breathing children

Objective: To analyse the changes in nasal air flow and school grades after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in oral breathing children with maxillary constriction.Material and Methods: Forty-four oral breathing children (mean age 10.57 y) underwent orthodontic RME with a Hyrax screw. Forty-four age-matched children (mean age 10.64 y) with nasal physiological breathing and adequate transverse maxillary dimensions served as the control group. The maxillary widths, nasal air flow assessed via peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), and school grades were recorded at baseline, and 6 months and one year following RME. Results: After RME, there were significant increases in all the maxillary widths in the study group. PNIF was reduced in the study group (60.91 ± 13.13 l/min) compared to the control group (94.50 ± 9.89 l/min) (P < 0.000) at the beginning of the study. Six months after RME, a significant improvement of PNIF was observed in the study group (36.43 ± 22.61). School grades were lower in the study group (85.52 ± 5.74) than in the control group (89.77 ± 4.44) (P < 0.05) at the baseline, but it increased six months after RME (2.77 ± 3.90) (P < 0.001) and one year later (5.02 ± 15.23) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Nasal air flow improved in oral breathing children six months and one year after RME. School grades also improved, but not high enough to be academically significant (AU)

Influence of adenotonsillectomy on hard palate dimensions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hard palate width and height in mouth-breathing children pre- and post-adenotonsillectomy. METHODS: We evaluated 44 children in the 3-6 year age bracket, using dental study casts in order to determine palatal height, intercanine width, and intermolar width. The children were divided into two groups: nasal breathing (n=15) and mouth breathing (n=29). The children in the latter group underwent adenotonsillectomy. The study casts were obtained prior to adenotonsillectomy, designated time point 1 (T1), at 13 months after adenotonsillectomy (T2), and at 28 months after adenotonsillectomy (T3). Similar periods of observation were obtained for nasal breathing children. RESULTS: At T1, there was a significantly lower intercanine width in mouth breathing children; intermolar width and palate height were similar between groups. After surgery, there was a significant increase in all the analyzed parameters in both groups, probably due to facial growth. Instead, the increase in intercanine width was substantially more prominent in mouth breathing children than in nasal breathing children, and the former difference failed in significance after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences between the nasal-breathing and mouth-breathing children in terms of intermolar width and palatal height prior to or after tonsillectomy. Although intercanine width was initially narrower in the mouth-breathing children, it showed normalization after the surgical procedure. These results confirm that the restoration of nasal breathing is central to proper occlusal development.

Study of craniofacial alterations and of the importance of the rapid maxillary expansion after tonsillectomy.

UNLABELLED: Obstructive hypertrophy of the tonsils and/or adenoids is associated with mouth breathing and can lead to facial imbalances. Adenotonsillectomy is not enough to treat the anatomic changes. Facial orthopedic techniques aid in morphological and functional recovery. This prospective longitudinal clinical study aimed to observe craniofacial changes after adenotonsillectomy and to verify the importance of linking rapid maxillary expansion to treatment. METHOD: Fifty-three children of both genders, aged 6 to 12 years, were allocated to: Group 1, 20 children with nasal breathing; and group 2, 33 children with obstructive hypertrophy of pharyngeal and/or palate undergoing adenotonsillectomy. After surgery, this group was subdivided into Group 2A, 16 patients not treated with rapid maxillary expansion; and Group 2B, 17 patients treated with maxillary rapid expansion. Frontal and lateral cephalometric measurements were made prior to surgery and after 14 months. Statistical analysis used the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests--significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Adenotonsillectomy balanced transversal, sagittal and vertical growth in both groups, and was more effective in the group undergoing combined treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Adenotonsillectomy improved the facial growth of children with obstructive hypertrophy, which was more evident when associated with rapid maxillary expansion.

Estudo das alterações craniofaciais e da importância da expansão rápida da maxila após adenotonsilectomia / Study of craniofacial alterations and of the importance of the rapid maxillary expansion after tonsillectomy

A hipertrofia obstrutiva das tonsilas palatinas e faríngeas está associada à respiração oral e pode levar a desequilíbrios faciais. A adenotonsilectomia parece ser insuficiente para o tratamento quando ocorreram alterações anatômicas. Técnicas ortopédicas faciais auxiliam no restabelecimento morfofuncional. Estudo clínico longitudinal prospectivo objetivou observar alterações craniofaciais após adenotonsilectomia e verificar a importância de associar ortopedia ao tratamento. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Cinquenta e três crianças de ambos os gêneros, entre 6 e 12 anos, divididas em: Grupo 1, 20 crianças com respiração nasal; Grupo 2, 33 crianças com hipertrofia obstrutiva das tonsilas faríngeas e/ou palatinas, submetidas à adenotonsilectomia. Após a cirurgia, este grupo foi subdividido: Grupo 2A, 16 pacientes não tratados com expansão rápida da maxila; Grupo 2B, 17 pacientes tratados com disjunção maxilar. Foram realizadas medidas cefalométricas em norma frontal e lateral anteriores à cirurgia e após 14 meses. Foram utilizados os testes Kruskal-Wallis e Wilcoxon, com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: A adenotonsilectomia equilibrou o crescimento transversal, sagital e vertical em ambos os grupos, sendo mais efetiva no grupo submetido ao tratamento combinado. CONCLUSÕES: A adenotonsilectomia favoreceu o crescimento facial das crianças com hipertrofia obstrutiva, sendo mais evidente quando associada à expansão maxilar.

Obstructive hypertrophy of the tonsils and/or adenoids is associated with mouth breathing and can lead to facial imbalances. Adenotonsillectomy is not enough to treat the anatomic changes. Facial orthopedic techniques aid in morphological and functional recovery. This prospective longitudinal clinical study aimed to observe craniofacial changes after adenotonsillectomy and to verify the importance of linking rapid maxillary expansion to treatment. METHOD: Fifty-three children of both genders, aged 6 to 12 years, were allocated to: Group 1, 20 children with nasal breathing; and group 2, 33 children with obstructive hypertrophy of pharyngeal and/or palate undergoing adenotonsillectomy. After surgery, this group was subdivided into Group 2A, 16 patients not treated with rapid maxillary expansion; and Group 2B, 17 patients treated with maxillary rapid expansion. Frontal and lateral cephalometric measurements were made prior to surgery and after 14 months. Statistical analysis used the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests - significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Adenotonsillectomy balanced transversal, sagittal and vertical growth in both groups, and was more effective in the group undergoing combined treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Adenotonsillectomy improved the facial growth of children with obstructive hypertrophy, which was more evident when associated with rapid maxillary expansion.

Adenotonsillectomy in facial growing patients: spontaneous dental effects.

UNLABELLED: Children with hypertrophic tonsils and adenoids may have adverse effects on dental occlusion, which tend to worsen during the growth period. Diagnosis and early treatment is essential. AIM: Prospective clinical study to compare the cephalometric measurements before and after adenotonsillectomy in mouth breathing patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We had 38 patients of both genders, aged between 7 and 11 years in our sample, broken down into: oral group, 18 patients with obstructive hypertrophy of pharyngeal tonsil and/or palate grade 3 or 4; control group, 20 patients with normal breathing. Angular and linear dental measurements were compared between the groups in a 14 months interval. We used the "t" Student and Wilcoxon tests for unpaired samples, at 5% significance, for statistical purposes. RESULTS: The sagittal position and axial angle of the lower incisors increased significantly in the group with oral breathing, the sagittal position of the upper incisors increased significantly in the oral group, which still had a significant increase in overbite. CONCLUSION: Adenotonsillectomy was very effective in improving some dental measurements, with benefits to growing patients preventing malocclusions from becoming difficult to treat or permanent.

Adenotonsillectomy in facial growing patients: spontaneous dental effects / Adenotonsilectomia em pacientes na fase de crescimento facial: efeitos dentários espontâneos

Children with hypertrophic tonsils and adenoids may have adverse effects on dental occlusion, which tend to worsen during the growth period. Diagnosis and early treatment is essential. AIM: Prospective clinical study to compare the cephalometric measurements before and after adenotonsillectomy in mouth breathing patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We had 38 patients of both genders, aged between 7 and 11 years in our sample, broken down into: oral group, 18 patients with obstructive hypertrophy of pharyngeal tonsil and/or palate grade 3 or 4; control group, 20 patients with normal breathing. Angular and linear dental measurements were compared between the groups in a 14 months interval. We used the "t" Student and Wilcoxon tests for unpaired samples, at 5 percent significance, for statistical purposes. RESULTS: The sagittal position and axial angle of the lower incisors increased significantly in the group with oral breathing, the sagittal position of the upper incisors increased significantly in the oral group, which still had a significant increase in overbite. CONCLUSION: Adenotonsillectomy was very effective in improving some dental measurements, with benefits to growing patients preventing malocclusions from becoming difficult to treat or permanent.

Crianças com tonsilas e adenoides hipertróficas podem apresentar efeitos desfavoráveis na oclusão dentária, que tendem a agravar no período de crescimento, tornando imprescindível seu diagnóstico e tratamento precoce. OBJETIVO: Este estudo clínico prospectivo comparou medidas cefalométricas dos incisivos antes e após a adenotonsilectomia, em respiradores orais. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: A amostra foi de 38 pacientes de ambos os gêneros, entre 7 e 11 anos, dividida em: grupo oral, com 18 pacientes com hipertrofia obstrutiva da tonsila faríngea e/ou palatinas grau 3 ou 4; grupo controle, com 20 pacientes com respiração nasal. Medidas dentárias angulares e lineares foram comparadas entre os grupos, antes e após adenotonsilectomia, em um intervalo de 14 meses. A análise estatística utilizou os testes t-Student e Wilcoxon para amostras não pareadas, ao nível de significância de 5 por cento. RESULTADOS: A inclinação axial e a posição sagital dos incisivos inferiores aumentaram significativamente no grupo com respiração oral; o posicionamento sagital dos incisivos superiores aumentou significativamente no grupo oral, que ainda obteve aumento significativo de sobremordida. CONCLUSÃO: A adenoamigdalectomia se mostrou bastante eficaz na melhora de algumas medidas dentárias, com benefícios aos pacientes em crescimento, prevenindo que más oclusões dentárias tenham difícil tratamento ou se tornem definitivas.

Changes in facial morphology after adenotonsillectomy in mouth-breathing children.

BACKGROUND: Morphological and dentofacial alterations have been attributed to impaired respiratory function. OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of mouth breathing (MB) on children facial morphology before and after adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy. METHODS: Thirty-three MB children who restored nasal breathing (NB) after surgery and 22 NB children were evaluated. Both groups were submitted to lateral cephalometry, at time 1 (T1) before and at time 2 (T2) 28 months on average postoperatively. RESULTS: Comparison between the MB and NB groups at T1 showed that mouth breathers had higher inclination of the mandibular plane; more obtuse gonial angle; dolichofacial morphology; and a decrease in the total and inferior posterior facial heights. Twenty-eight months after the MB surgical intervention, they still presented a dolichofacial morphologic pattern. During this period, MB altered the face growth direction and decreased their mandible plane inclination, with reduction in the SN.GoGn, PP.MP, SNGn, and ArGo.GoMe parameters as well as an increase in BaN.PtGn. CONCLUSION: After the MB rehabilitation, children between 3 and 6 years old presented significant normalization in the mandibular growth direction, a decrease in the mandible inclination, and an increase in the posterior facial height. Instead, they still persisted with a dolichofacial pattern when compared with nasal breathers.