Middle Ear Status in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients: A Five-Year Follow-Up

INTRODUCTION: The best strategy to treat otitis media with effusion in cleft lip/palate patients is still under debate. This research aimed to evaluate the otologic outcomes in children at least five years post-repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 40 children who underwent palatoplasty between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2014, at Children’s Medical Center (Tehran, Iran). Patients had intervelar veloplasty under magnification (Sommerlad’s Technique). Based on patients’ charts, their age, gender, cleft type, date of palatoplasty, as well as the date and the frequency of ventilation tube (VT) insertion, were recorded. Furthermore, otomicroscopy, middle ear status, and tympanometry were assessed five years postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in middle ear status between children with complete and incomplete cleft palates. The mean age at the time of study and the mean follow-up duration were significantly higher in the normal middle ear group, compared to the abnormal middle ear group (7.7±1.6 vs. 6.8±0.9, P=0.03 and 6±1.15 vs. 5.42±0.9, P=0.04, respectively). Middle ear status was not significantly different between early or late palatoplasty patients. In addition, the frequency and timing of VT insertion were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Middle ear status improved as patients grew older; however, the age of palatoplasty and the frequency of VT insertion were not significant prognostic factors in patients who underwent intervelar veloplasty under magnification.