Management of recurrent otitis media with rapid maxillary expansion: our experience

Management of recurrent otitis media with rapid maxillary expansion: our experience. Problems/objectives: Recurrent otitis media is a frequent problem in the paediatric population. It is commonly associated with adenoid hypertrophy and occasionally with skeletal development syndrome characterised by maxillary anatomical alterations. When this syndrome is present in conjunction with adenoid hypertrophy, surgical management with adenoidectomy and/or myringotomy with ventilation tube positioning does not necessarily ensure a resolution of conductive hearing disorders.

Methodology: We used maxillary rapid expansion in 27 children with a mean age of 7 years affected by recurrent otitis media associated with skeletal development syndrome and adenoid hypertrophy.

Results: Rapid maxillary expansion acting directly on the median palatine suture expands the palate and the nasal floor, improving nasal breathing. In addition, maxillary expansion stretches elevator and tensor palatine muscles, helping to restore normal Eustachian tube function, even in the presence of adenoid hypertrophy.

Conclusion: In our opinion, rapid maxillary expansion results in an improvement in skeletal-facial abnormalities associated with skeletal development syndrome and it can be considered a valid treatment for preventing recurrent otitis media in children affected by maxillary anatomical alterations.