An Otorhinological study of patients with cleft lip and palate

32 patients of cleft palate with or without cleft lip were subjected to otorhinological study from January 1998 to September 2000, with special attention to the rhinological anomalies, ear pathology, any deafness, discharge or any other findings relevant to the middle ear. Hearing loss and ear changes were not seen in any patient with cleft lip alone, hence these patients were not included in this study. These changes were confined to the patients with cleft palate only, with or without cleft lip. High incidence of otological anomalies (75%) and rhinological anomalies (deviated nasal septum in 40.6%) were seen in patients with cleft palate with or without cleft lip. Hearing loss has been seen (37.5%) in patients with cleft palate and was purely conductive in nature.