[Incidence and treatment of otitis with effusion in patients with cleft palate]

We evaluated 40 children with cleft palate repaired, between 1990 and 1995. Treatment was myringotomy and insertion of a tympanostomy tube, followed by monitoring. In this retrospective study of 40 children aged 8 to 48 months, the prevalence of otitis media with effusion was 84.8%. The condition was persistent in 17.6% of children up to 3 years of age after treatment. Audiological thresholds were evaluated with BERA one or more times. Hearing acuity improved after so, therefore we propose it as the best strategy for ensuring adequate hearing for language development while minimizing morbidity (incidence of complications = 14.7%).