Clinical outcomes of otitis media with effusion following palatoplasty in patients with incomplete cleft palate.

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis and treatment strategies for CP with OME and the timing of ear tube insertion remain controversial.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the clinical outcomes of otitis media with effusion in children with incomplete cleft palate after palatoplasty prospectively.

METHODS

A total of 30 children (10 months-2 years old) with incomplete CP were enrolled in this study and received at least 6 months of follow-up evaluations after palatoplasty.

RESULTS

The overall improvement rate of OME was as high as 26% in this group. Average air conduction hearing threshold was significantly better than that before surgery in the 8 patients with improved OME (p < .05). Among the 8 children with improved OME, 7 (87.5%) were found to have middle ear effusion that improved within 6 months after CP repair. There was no significant difference in the improvement rate between the severe degree II group and the mild group.

CONCLUSION

A 6-month follow-up period is recommended. The severity of incomplete CP is not fully related to the function of the eustachian tube.

SIGNIFICANCE

The overall improvement rate was as high as 26%, and effusion in the tympanic cavity subsided in 7 out of 8 cases within 6 months after the CP repair.