The underdeveloped palate in ear, nose and throat practice.

The purpose of this study is to assess the incidence of palatal underdevelopment in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. Signs of underdevelopment were found in 24 out of 1,500 consecutive children admitted for tonsil and adenoid surgery (1.6%). Bifid uvula was found in 15 children (1%). Five palates showed deficiency in length or thickness (0.33%) and submucous cleft palate was found in 4 children (0.27%). The palatopharyngeal sphincter was often compensated and adequate. Middle ear diseases attributable to Eustachian tube dysfunction, with or without infection, was found in the majority of the children with underdeveloped palate. Tonsil and adenoid surgery was modified according to the palatopharyngeal condition.