Airflow characteristics in differently elevated Schneiderian membranes: a computational fluid dynamics analysis

Abstract

Distributions of air flow velocities and streamline are modelled numerically at different anatomical levels of sinus lifting surgery in Schnederian membrane models with various degrees of elevation. Three different elevated Schnederian membrane topography models are used which are control group (case 0), symmetrically dome-shaped (case 1), partially elevated model (case 2) and plane model (case 3). Three different volumetric flow rates which are 30 l/min, 15 l/min and 7.5 l/min are used. The inspiration and expiration are modelled numerically. In numerical analysis, computational fluid dynamic techniques are used. Incompressible flow and time independent assumptions are used. Airflow flow behaviours are discussed for different elevated Schnederian membrane topography, volumetric volume rates and for expiration and inspiration.