[The effect of palate repair on middle ear function]

By means of acoustic impedance and otoscopic examinations the middle ear function and incidence of secretory otitis media (SOM) were demonstrated in 43 cases of cleft palate children pre- and post palatal closure. The results showed that 61.36% of the 86 ears had SOM prior to palatal closure and there was no difference between cleft types (P > 0.05). The patient with the age of 9 years or less have higher incidence of SOM than the older ones (P < 0.05). The study indicated that the middle ear status can be improved by palatal surgery for the cleft palate children.