Prospective case-series study evaluates nasopharyngeal changes from rapid maxillary expansion in children with UCLP, suggesting improved airway dimensions.
Objectives To evaluate the effect of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on nasopharyngeal dimensions in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Design A prospective case-series longitudinal study. Setting Orthodontic Department, School of Dental Sciences. Participants Forty-eight children (30 males and 18 females) aged 8 to 10 years old with UCLP who had maxillary transverse constriction and need maxillary expansion. Intervention RME followed by retention phase. Main outcome Changes in 3-dimensional nasopharyngeal parameters after RME using cephalometric radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Results The CBCT analysis revealed that the nasal cavity increased by 1907 mm 3 ( P < .001), the nasopharynx (NP) increased by 707 mm 3 ( P = .027), the minimum cross-sectional area increased by 29.98 mm 2 ( P < .001), and the distance between the right and left maxillary sinuses increased by 7.98 mm ( P < .001), although the change in the sinus volume was insignificant ( P > .05). Cephalometric measurements revealed a statistically significant inferior dislocation of the maxilla after treatment (S-S1, P = .024; N-ANS, P = .017), increase in the inferior anterior and posterior facial height (S-Go, P = .017; ANS-Me, P = .041; N-Me, P = .020). Conclusion RME treatment increased some nasopharyngeal dimensions in children with UCLP and maxillary constriction.
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Sahal Alforaidi (2026) studied this question.
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