Abstract:

Objective:The aim of this study is to explore the influence of palatoplasty and tympanotomy onmiddle earfunction orhearing condition in cleft palate patients.Methods:A total of 22 ears with otitis media with effusion in cleft palate patients were inserted with PE tubes, and Pre-and post-operative hearing level and middle ear function in these patients were tested and compared re- spectively, in orderto demonstrate the action of tympanotomy and PEinsertion on hearing and middle earfunction. Another38 pa- tients with cleft palate were operated in their early age with the proper operation method, and pre- and post-operative middle ear function were examined and compared to showthe influence of the operation on the middle earfunction.Results:PETube insertion and tympanotomy changed the pressure condition of middle ear cavity and raised the hearing level about 17dB in the middle-ear- diseased cleft palate patients, and patientswith palatoplasty did not show obvious changes in middle ear function in the short-term trail.Conclusion:Early and active tympanotomy do help in improving the function of the middle ear, and it is suggested to im- prove patients.hearing and middle ear function as early as possible. Palatoplasty did not affect the function of middle ear.

Key words: cleft palate, otitis media with effusion, palatoplasty, middle ear dysfunction