Poster Q8 - Nasal Airflow Dynamics in Cleft Nasal Deformities

Introduction: Unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) nasal deformities significantly impact nasal airflow and pressure distribution, leading to breathing difficulties. This study employs computer-aided design (CAD) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate airway function and assess the outcomes of LeFort I osteotomy on nasal airflow in UCLP patients. The surgical procedure aims to improve nasal patency by advancing the maxilla, thereby enlarging airway passages and reducing resistance.

Materials and

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, using pre- and post-surgery CT scans to create nasal airway models in MIMICS and SolidWorks. CFD simulations were performed with Ansys Fluent 2022 to analyze airflow through these geometries under both laminar and turbulent flow conditions. Boundary conditions included constant pressure at the inlet and outlet to mimic physiological breathing. Air was modeled under standard atmospheric conditions with a density of 1.204 kg/m³ and a dynamic viscosity of 1.825×10⁻⁵ kg/ms.

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions: Post-operative models demonstrated a significant increase in nasal cavity volume from 27.8 cm³ to 35.2 cm³, aligning more closely with the control volume of 47.4 cm³. CFD analysis indicated a 20.93% reduction in turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), suggesting smoother airflow post-surgery. Wall shear stress decreased from 0.085 N/m² to 0.0742 N/m², and nasal resistance analyses showed a general decrease post-operatively, facilitating easier breathing. These results provide quantitative insights into the functional impacts of surgical interventions, enhancing our understanding of UCLP treatment and offering objective metrics for evaluating surgical outcomes.

Acknowledgements (Optional): This research received no external funding. Computational facilities were partially supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number 2121075.