Numerical analysis of the nasal cavity structure reconstruction effects on the airflow patterns within the upper airway in patient with OSAHS / 医用生物力学

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the influence of airway structural changes after reconstruction of nasal cavity structure on the airflow patterns within the whole upper airway and the movement of soft palate in patient with OSAHS accompanied by nasal abnormality. Method Based on the preoperative and postoperative CT data from the patient with OSAHS, the three dimensional finite element model of the upper airway and the soft palate were reconstructed. The preoperative and postoperative flow characteristics of the upper airway and movement of the soft palate were simulated by the fluid solid interaction method. Results The surgical operation altered the abnormal anatomy of the nasal cavity. The nasal airway resistance and the whole upper airway resistance decreased significantly. Meanwhile, it was shown that the soft palate edema remitted obviously, and the motion amplitude of the free edge also decreased. The displacement of the soft palate increased with the decrease in elastic modulus of soft palate. Postoperative numerical results showed a good agreement with the experimental and computational results of the normal human in literature review. Conclusions The reconstruction of the nasal cavity structure influenced the airflow patterns and the movement of soft palate through altering the anatomy of the upper airway. The movement of soft palate was affected by the variations of elastic modulus under different pathophysiologic conditions.