The Impact of Lateral Relaxing Incision on Middle Ear Function in Cleft Palate Repair

Children with cleft palate are susceptible to otitis media with effusion. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lateral relaxing incision (RI) on middle ear function in cleft palate patients who underwent palatoplasty using double-opposing Z-plasty (DOZ). This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent bilateral ventilation tube insertion concurrently with DOZ, wherein RI was selectively performed on the right side of the palate (Rt-RI group) or not (No-RI group). The frequency of VTI, duration of the first ventilation tube retention, and hearing outcomes at the last follow-up were reviewed. Outcomes were compared using the χ 2 test and t test. A total of 126 treated ears from 63 non-syndromic children (18 male, 45 female) with cleft palate were reviewed. The mean age at surgery was 15.8±6.17 months. There were no significant differences in the frequency of ventilation tube insertion between the right and left ears within the Rt-RI group or between the Rt-RI and no-RI groups in the right ear. Subgroup analysis for ventilation tube retention time, auditory brainstem response thresholds, and air-conduction pure tone averages showed no significant differences. In the DOZ, the use of RI had no significant effects on middle ear outcomes during 3 years of follow-up. Relaxing incision seems to be safe without concern for middle ear function in children with cleft palate.