Patency Tests of the Maxillary Ostium — Model Experiments

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Abstract
The function of the maxillary ostia (diameter 0.22-4.7 mm) was evaluated in experiments on a nose-sinus model with variable sinusal volumes. A piston-pump producing to-and-fro volumes of 467cm3 of air/revolution was used at a speed of 10 and 20 revolutions/min (rpm). Three different techniques were used: simultaneous pressure recording in the sinus and the nose (method I); simultaneous recording of the differential pressure between nose and sinus and the air-flow through the ostium (method II); recording of the pressure rise inside the sinus upon the application of a constant artificial air-flow of 16.7 cm3/s or 2.0 cm3/s (method III). All variables were recorded on an ink-jet recorder and onto tape when using methods I and II for later analysis on an x-y recorder. A pressure relationship of 1:1 was found between nose and sinus, independently of ostial diameters, sinusal volumes and piston-pump rates. The 1st method did not permit an isolated determination of the ostial function as the pressure values recorded are affected by ostial diameters, sinusal volumes and piston-pump rates. The pressure-flow relationship recorded with the 2nd method was dependent only on the ostial diameters. Hysteresis was observed at ostial diameters .ltoreq. 1.63 mm. This was due to ostial diameter, sinusal volume and the rate of the nasal pressure changes. This method was suitable for an isolated determination of the ostial reference, from which the equivalent ostial diameter can be calculated. With the 3rd method using static air-flows and pressures the results are independent of the sinusal volume. This method is suitable for estimation of the ostial airway resistance and the equivalent ostial diameter. A striking similarity was observed between the results obtained with the last 2 methods in estimating equivalent ostial diameters.

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