Long-Term Otologic and Audiometric Outcomes in Patients with Cleft Palate

What is it about?

This study reviews the burden of otologic disease among children with a cleft lip and palate. It demonstrates that in many of these children, the ear disease seems to persist well into late adolescence as demonstrated by poor middle ear aeration and conductive hearing loss. With that said, in those patients in whom tympanoplasty was performed, success rates seem to mirror those seen in children without craniofacial clefting.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The study is important as it highlights the chronicity of the eustachian tube dysfunction in children with cleft lip and palate. It also demonstrates the import of long term otologic follow up.