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Updated: May 31, 2026
08:47
Endoscopic Cholesteatoma Surgery
Published on: January 19, 2022
Postpalatoplasty Eustachian tube function in young children with cleft palate
Cuneyt M Alper1, Joseph E Losee, Ellen M Mandel
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, One Children's Hospital Drive, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA. cmalper@pitt.edu
Summary
Eustachian tube function in young children with cleft palate showed normal passive function and 60% tubal dilation during swallowing. This dilation may predict early resolution of ear disease in children with cleft palate.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Genetics
Background:
- Children with cleft palate often experience Eustachian tube dysfunction, leading to middle ear issues.
- Palatoplasty and tympanostomy tube insertion are common interventions for these children.
- Understanding Eustachian tube function is crucial for managing otitis media in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Eustachian tube function in young children with cleft palate post-surgery using the forced response test.
- To compare current findings with historical data from a similar cohort.
- To investigate the potential of Eustachian tube dilation as a prognostic indicator.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the forced response test to evaluate passive and active Eustachian tube function.
- Tested 34 children with cleft palate (average age 18.6 months) after palatoplasty and tympanostomy tube insertion.
- Compared results with a 1986 study using identical methodologies.
Main Results:
- Passive Eustachian tube function parameters were comparable to normal adult and child populations.
- Tubal dilation during swallowing was observed in 60% of tested ears.
- Active resistance and dilatory efficiency were similar to normal adult values.
Conclusions:
- While tubal dilation frequency (60%) was lower than in a 1986 study (84%), it remained significantly higher than in children with persistent otitis media.
- Eustachian tube dilation during the forced response test may serve as a prognostic marker for early ear disease resolution in children with cleft palate.
- The findings support the continued use of the forced response test for evaluating Eustachian tube function in this pediatric population.
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