Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS) and rhino-tubaric disfunction in children: therapeutic effects of RME therapy

The aim of the study was to evaluate if RME (Rapid Maxillary Expansion) therapy could improve both the patency of the nasal airways and the Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS). 42 children with a case history of oral breathing, snoring and night time apnoeas were studied. Selection criteria were: no adenotonsillar hypertrophy, Body Mass Index (BMI) below 24 and a malocclusion characterised by a narrow upper jaw, determined by postero-anterior cephalometric evaluation. Patients underwent an ENT visit with auditory and respiratory tests including daytime a sleepiness questionnaire, a 19-channel polysomnography, and an orthognatodontic examination; finally the patient underwent X-rays investigations. All the investigations were carried out before orthodontic therapy (T0), after one month (T1) with the device still on, and 4 months after the end of the orthodontic treatment which lasted for about 6-12 months (T2). All the changes induced by RME on the upper jaw and nasal septum were analysed by postero-anterior cephalometric evaluation in T0, T1 and T2. In all treated cases, the authors obtained an opening of the midpalatal suture; this was confirmed both by intraoral occlusal X-rays and postero-anterior cephalograms. The results reported by the 42 patients studied show that the R.M.E. therapy widens the nasal fossa and releases the septum thus restoring a normal nasal airflow with disappearance of obstructive sleep disordered breathing. Changing the anatomic structure, RME brought a significant functional improvement. Therefore the orthodontist can play an important role in the interdisciplinary treatment of OSAS patients.