Effect of Surgically Assisted Rapid Maxillary Expansion on Upper Airway Volume: A Systematic Review

SARME was found to produce substantial short-term volume increases in the nasal cavity in non-growing patients that were maintained for at least 63 months. Evidence weakly suggested no effect on oropharyngeal volume. However, most studies were evaluated as having a high risk of bias. The effect of such volume changes on respiratory function still needs to be determined; thus, SARME cannot be recommended for respiratory purposes.