[The effect of palate repair on middle ear function]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Audiology

Context:

• Secretory otitis media (SOM) is a common complication in children with cleft palate.
• Middle ear dysfunction can impact hearing and speech development.
• Palatal closure is a critical surgical intervention for cleft palate patients.

Purpose:

• To evaluate middle ear function and the incidence of SOM in cleft palate children before and after palatal closure surgery.
• To determine the effect of palatal surgery on the resolution of SOM.
• To identify risk factors, such as age and cleft type, associated with SOM in this population.

Summary:

• Acoustic impedance and otoscopic examinations were used to assess 43 children with cleft palate.
• Pre-operative evaluation revealed SOM in 61.36% of 86 ears, with no significant difference based on cleft type.
• Children aged 9 years or younger exhibited a higher incidence of SOM compared to older children.
• Post-operative assessment indicated improvement in middle ear status following palatal closure.

Impact:

• Palatal surgery demonstrates a positive impact on improving middle ear status in children with cleft palate.
• Early surgical intervention may be crucial for mitigating the effects of SOM.
• Findings support the importance of audiological monitoring and management in cleft palate care.