The cause of nasal sinusitis in patients with cleft palate

To determine the reason for the high incidence of nasal sinusitis in patients with cleft palate, the type of cleft, degree of nasal septal deviation, velopharyngeal function, and presence of pharyngeal flap were investigated in relation to nasal sinusitis. We also examined the relationship between the side of sinusitis and the cleft side in patients with unilateral cleft palate. Development of maxillary sinus, nasal mucociliary transport, and ciliary beating frequency of ciliated cells were also examined. The saccharin test indicated that nasal mucociliary transport was impaired. This impairment is believed to be one of the reasons for the high incidence of sinusitis in patients with cleft palate.