Audiologic and tympanometric findings in children with cleft lip and palate

The impact of hearing loss on speech outcomes in 5-year-old children with cleft palate ± lip: A longitudinal cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of hearing loss (using longitudinal measurements of hearing) on speech outcomes at age 5 (5 years 0 months-5 years 11 months) in children born with cleft palate ± lip. Other variables which may impact upon the speech outcomes at age 5 in this population were also investigated.

METHODS

A retrospective longitudinal cohort study of children, without a named syndrome, born with cleft palate ± lip, and treated at a Cleft Centre in the United Kingdom. Data collected from infancy to 5 years 11 months, included hearing test results from three specific time points (7 months-1 year 2 months [age A]; 2 years 0 months-2 years 11 months [age B]; 5 years 0 months-5 years 11 months [age C]) and speech outcome data at age 5 years (5 years 0 months-5 years 11 months). Hearing test results at each age were compared to identify how hearing changes with age. Correlations between hearing test results and speech outcomes at age 5 were analysed.

RESULTS

Hearing loss was frequent but predominantly mild. There were no significant correlations between speech outcomes and hearing results at any age. Mild hearing loss remained prevalent at age 5, although a significant age-related hearing improvement was found. A significant relationship between cleft type and cleft speech characteristics was found (P < .001); children with Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate achieved the poorest articulation outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Although mild hearing loss was common in the cohort, there was no association between hearing loss and the speech outcomes investigated. In contrast, the type of cleft was significantly associated with the presence of cleft speech characteristics. Further longitudinal measurement of hearing is required to substantiate the findings of this study.

Exceptionally early tympanostomy tube placement in pediatric patients with cleft lip and palate

OBJECTIVE

At our institution, cleft lip repair is performed at or before 8 weeks of age, and tympanostomy tubes (TT) have been inserted concurrently in some of these patients. Our objective was to determine the feasibility and present the preliminary results of TT placement at this early age.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted of 22 patients born with cleft lip and/or palate who had TT placement in the first 8 weeks of life. Data collected included complications and audiologic function post TT placement.

RESULTS

Subjects had a mean age of 3.9 weeks at the time of TT placement and cleft lip repair. Thirteen patients (59%) reported otorrhea during the follow-up period. Eighteen of 21 (86%) patients who underwent auditory evaluation had normal audiological function following TT placement. One patient had sensorineural hearing loss and 2 patients had mild conductive hearing loss due to bilateral extruded TT and OME at 15.9 and 39.2 months after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Exceptionally early TT is feasible. Placing TT at or before 8 weeks of age did not result in any major complications but demonstrated a high incidence of otorrhea. A randomized, prospective study with a larger sample size is necessary to determine the benefits of TT placement at this age.

Pre-operative and post-operative audiological assessment in cleft lip and palate patients-a prospective study

Purpose

To assess association of audiological defects in cleft lip and palate (CLP) following two stage cheiloplasty and palatoplasty using clinical evaluation and otoscopy and effect of the surgical repair at an interval of one year.

Materials and methods

A pilot research study was performed on sixty CLP patients of 1-6 years of age reporting at Craniofacial & Research Centre, Dharwad, India between October 2016 to October 2018.Subjects were assessed based on history, clinical examination and otoscopy for audiometric defects including Serous otitis media (SOM), retraction pockets, impacted wax pre-palatoplasty and findings were compared with control group. Study group were followed up postoperatively at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and statistical analysis was carried.

Results

Higher incidence of conductive audiological defects were noted in study group (96.6%) to control group (8.33%). Of the sixty cleft patients subjected to screening otoscopy, 58 subjects had significant findings like serous otitis media(12.07%), retraction pockets(23.14%), impacted wax(62.04%), bulging of tympanic membrane(3.45%) which were clinically unnoticed. Post palatoplasty no changes were noted at 1 and 3 months, however at 6- and 12months significant improvement was noted (55.17%), with three subjects lost to follow up (6.90%) and none presenting with permanent deafness.results.

Conclusion

Cleft anomalies occur in different degrees of severity and configuration with greater incidence of conductive hearing defects of 97%. Positive correlation was noted in cleft palate cases with significant improvement after palatoplasty at an earlier age. However, future long term studies are warranted for long term assessment of Eustachian tube function.conclusion.

Effects of maxillary expansion on hearing and voice function in non-cleft lip palate and cleft lip palate patients with transverse maxillary deficiency: a multicentric randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

The association between the treatment of transverse maxillary deficiency and the recovery of hearing and voice functions has gained attention in recent years.

OBJECTIVE

This prospective controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion on hearing and voice function in children with non-cleft lip palate and bilateral cleft lip palate with transverse maxillary deficiency METHODS: 53 patients (26 non-cleft and 27 bilateral cleft lip palate; mean age, 11.1±1.8 years) requiring rapid maxillary expansion for correction of narrow maxillary arches were recruited for this trial. Eight sub-groups were established based on the degree of hearing loss. Pure-tone audiometric and tympanometric records were taken for each subject at four different time periods. The first records were taken before rapid maxillary expansion (T0), the second after expansion (T1) (mean, 0.8 months), the third after three months (T2) (mean, 3 months) and the fourth at the end of retention period (T3) (mean, 6 months). ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc tests were used for data analysis. Additionally, voice analysis was done using an updated PRAAT software program in a computerized speech lab at T0 and T2. A paired-samplet-test was used for comparisons of mean values of T0 and T2 voice parameters within both groups.

RESULTS

Rapid maxillary expansion treatment produced a significant increase in the hearing levels and middle ear volumes of all non-cleft and bilateral cleft lip palate patients with normal hearing levels and with mild conductive hearing loss, during the T0-T1, T1-T2, T0-T2, and T0-T3 observation periods (p<0.05). The significant increase was observed in right middle ear volumes during the T0-T1, T0-T2 and T0-T3 periods in non-cleft patients with moderate hearing loss. For voice analysis, significant differences were observed only between the T0 and T2 mean fundamental frequency (F0) and jitter percentage (p<0.05) in the non-cleft group. In the cleft group, no significant differences were observed for any voice parameter between the T0 and T2 periods.

CONCLUSION

Correction of the palatal anatomy by rapid maxillary expansion therapy has a beneficial effect on both improvements in hearing and normal function of the middle ear in both non-cleft and bilateral cleft lip palate patients. Similarly, rapid maxillary expansion significantly influences voice quality in non-cleft patients, with no significant effect in BCLP patients.

Orofacial Dysfunction In Cleft And Non-Cleft Patients Using Nordic Orofacial Test - A Screening Study

Cleft lip, alveolus and palate is a congenital malformation caused by the lack of fusion of the lip and palate embryonic processes, which may disrupt the main functions of the stomatognathic system. Aim: This study aimed to assess the orofacial dysfunction in individuals with cleft lip, alveolus, and palate compared to non-cleft patients. One hundred and twenty individuals between 32 and 65 years of age were selected in the Craniofacial Center and in the School of Dentistry and divided into two groups: non-cleft patients (N-CLAP) and cleft lip, alveolus, and palate patients (CLAP). The two groups were matched by gender. Each individual was interviewed and submitted to a clinical evaluation during which the NOT-S was used to assess orofacial dysfunction. To verify the intra-examiner agreement, the values were compared using the Kappa test. The Mann-Whitney test compared performance on the NOT-S between the groups. The Chi-Square test compared the NOT-S domains between the groups. A comparison of the NOT-S scores between the groups revealed statistically significant differences in gender (p<0.001), but no statistically significant differences in the intragroup gender comparison were found. The assessment of the NOT-S domains between the N-CLAP and CLAP groups exhibited statistically significant differences in domains: breathing (p=0.021), chewing and swallowing (p<0.001), and dryness of the mouth (p=0.002) of the interview and significant differences in all domains of the clinical examination (p<0.001). Individuals with CLAP showed more orofacial dysfunction than non-cleft patients, without gender differences, after being assessed through the NOT-S.

Otitis media with effusion in children: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. A review

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a frequent paediatric disorder. The condition is often asymptomatic, and so can easily be missed. However, OME can lead to hearing loss that impairs the child's language and behavioural development. The diagnosis is essentially clinical, and is based on otoscopy and (in some cases) tympanometry. Nasal endoscopy is only indicated in cases of unilateral OME or when obstructive adenoid hypertrophy is suspected. Otitis media with effusion is defined as the observation of middle-ear effusion at consultations three months apart. Hearing must be evaluated (using an age-appropriate audiometry technique) before and after treatment, so as not to miss another underlying cause of deafness (e.g. perception deafness). Craniofacial dysmorphism, respiratory allergy and gastro-oesophageal reflux all favour the development of OME. Although a certain number of medications (antibiotics, corticoids, antihistamines, mucokinetic agents, and nasal decongestants) can be used to treat OME, they are not reliably effective and rarely provide long-term relief. The benchmark treatment for OME is placement of tympanostomy tubes (TTs) and (in some cases) adjunct adenoidectomy. The TTs rapidly normalize hearing and effectively prevent the development of cholesteatoma in the middle ear. In contrast, TTs do not prevent progression towards tympanic atrophy or a retraction pocket. Adenoidectomy enhances the effectiveness of TTs. In children with adenoid hypertrophy, adenoidectomy is indicated before the age of 4 but can be performed later when OME is identified by nasal endoscopy. Children must be followed up until OME has disappeared completely, so that any complications are not missed.

Otologic, audiometric and speech findings in patients undergoing surgery for cleft palate

BACKGROUND

Although considerable progress has been made in the last 30 years in the treatment of cleft palate (CP), a multidisciplinary approach combining examinations by a paediatrician, maxillofacial surgeon, otolaryngologist and speech and language pathologist followed by surgical operation is still required. In this work, we performed an observational cross-sectional study to determine whether the CP grade or number of ventilation tubes received was associated with tympanic membrane abnormalities, hearing loss or speech outcomes.

METHODS

Otologic, audiometric, tympanometric and speech evaluations were performed in a cohort of 121 patients (children > 6 years) who underwent an operation for CP at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Barcelona from 2000 to 2014.

RESULTS

The most and least frequent CP types evaluated according to the Veau grade were type III (55.37%) and I (8.26%), respectively. A normal appearance of the membrane was observed in 58% individuals, of whom 55% never underwent ventilation ear tube insertion. No statistically significant associations were identified between the CP type and number of surgeries for insertion of tubes (p = 0.820). The degree of hearing loss (p = 0.616), maximum impedance (p = 0.800) and tympanic membrane abnormalities indicative of chronic otitis media (COM) (p = 0.505) among examined patients revealed no statistically significant association with the grade of CP. However, an association was identified between hypernasality and the grade of CP (p = 0.053), COM (p = 0.000), hearing loss (p = 0.000) and number of inserted ventilation tubes.

CONCLUSION

Although the placement of tympanic ventilation tubes has been accompanied by an increased rate of COM, it is still important to assess whether this is a result of the number of ventilation tubes inserted or it is intrinsic to the natural history of middle ear inflammatory disease of such patients. Our results do not support improvements in speech, hearing, or tympanic membrane abnormalities with more aggressive management of COM with tympanostomy tubes.

Otologic Outcomes With Two Different Surgical Protocols in Patients With a Cleft Palate: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

To compare otologic outcomes in patients with cleft palate who underwent 2 different surgical protocols.

DESIGN

Monocentric retrospective analysis of medical reports.

PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS

All consecutively treated patients affected by a cleft palate, born between January 1998 and December 2002 (group 1) and between January 2007 and December 2010 (group 2).

INTERVENTIONS

Patients in group 1 underwent Veau-Wardill-Kilner palatoplasty at 10 months and had ventilation tubes inserted in case of otitis media with effusion (OME) during surgery. Patients in group 2 underwent Sommerlad intravelar veloplasty at 5 months. Ventilation tubes were inserted only in case of persistent OME.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The need for a second set of ventilation tubes to be inserted in case of persistent OME, the presence of OME at the age of 2 years, and tympanic abnormalities at the age of 5 years were analyzed.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference either for the presence of OME at the age of 2 years (27 [45%] vs 32 [57.14%], respectively, in groups 1 and 2; P = .191) or for tympanic abnormalities at the age of 5 years (20 [33.33%] vs 15 [26.79%]; P = .433). Statistically significant difference was found for the need to insert a second set of ventilation tubes in case of persistent OME (29 [48.33%] vs 12 [21.42%], respectively; P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Early Sommerlad intravelar veloplasty may reduce persistent OME and consequently the need for ventilation tubes insertion, compared to later Veau-Wardill-Kilner palatoplasty.

Otolaryngology Service Usage in Children With Cleft Palate

Objectives:

To determine the usage of otolaryngology services by children with cleft palate at a pediatric tertiary care facility.

Design:

Retrospective case series.

Setting:

Specialty clinic at a pediatric tertiary care hospital.

Patients:

Children born between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2002, with the diagnosis of cleft palate or cleft lip and palate. A total of 41 female and 48 male patients were included.

Main Outcome Measures:

Total number of otolaryngology clinic visits and total number of otolaryngologic surgeries (tympanostomy tube placements and other otologic or upper airway procedures).

Results:

In the first 5 years of life, these children utilized an average of 8.2 otolaryngology clinic visits (SD = 5.0; range: 1-22) and underwent 3.3 tympanostomy tube surgeries (SD = 2.0; range: 0-10). Seventy-three had their first tube placed at the time of palate repair, and 4 at the time of lip repair. Fifty-one (57.3%) required other otologic or upper airway procedures, including tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy (27 children), removal of tympanostomy tubes (24 children), tympanomastoidectomy (3 children), and tympanoplasty (14 children). Of the children who underwent other procedures, they underwent a mean of 1.67 (SD = 0.84; range: 1-4) surgeries.

Conclusions:

Children with cleft palate are at increased risk for eustachian tube dysfunction, frequently utilize otolaryngology care, and typically receive multiple sets of tympanostomy tubes. This study found that children with cleft palate receive on average of approximately 3 sets of tympanostomy tubes, and the majority required another otologic or upper airway surgery.

Evaluation of Ventilation Tube Placement and Long-term Audiologic Outcome in Children with Cleft Palate

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of ventilation tube (VT) placement on long-term hearing outcomes in children with cleft palate.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Genetic and dysmorphology database at Rady Children's Hospital–San Diego (RCHSD).

Patients

Children with cleft palate diagnosis who underwent surgery at RCHSD between 1995 and 2002.

Main Outcome Measure

The primary outcome studied was hearing acuity at 10 years of age. Independent variables studied included gender, age at palate repair and first VT placement, total number of VTs, number of complications, and presence of tympanic membrane perforation.

Results

An increased number of tubes was associated with a greater incidence of hearing loss at age 10, even after adjusting for total number of otologic complications. The timing of initial tube placement did not have a significant effect on long-term hearing outcome in this study.

Conclusions

While children with worse middle ear disease are more likely to receive more tubes and have long-term conductive hearing loss as a result of ear disease, the results of this study suggest that multiple tube placements may not contribute to improved long-term hearing outcomes. Further research focusing on long-term outcomes is needed to establish patient-centered criteria guiding decision making for ventilation tube placement in children with cleft palate.

Resolution of Otitis Media With Effusion in Children With Cleft Palate Followed Through Five Years of Age

OBJECTIVE

To describe the temporal pattern of otitis media with effusion (OME) resolution for a cohort of nonsyndromic cleft palate children enrolled before palatoplasty and followed through 5 years of age.

DESIGN

This is a prospective, longitudinal study of the time course for OME resolution in infants and children with palatal clefts.

SETTING

Cleft Palate Craniofacial Center of a tertiary care pediatric hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

This study included 52 children with cleft palate (29 boys, 45 white, Veau 1 through 4) who had a Furlow-type palatoplasty between 10 and 24 months of age performed by one of six surgeons.

INTERVENTIONS

Standard cleft palate management was supplemented with study visits to the research clinic pre- and postpalatoplasty and then yearly to 6 years of age for assessments of middle ear status by interval history, otoscopy, and tympanometry.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The main outcome measure was age at otitis media resolution defined as the age in years at the first in a sequence of "disease-free" diagnoses not interrupted or followed by any other diagnosis.

RESULTS

The cumulative percent OME resolution for ears/children at ages <1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 years was 4.1/4.4, 14.3/10.9, 31.6/21.7, 45.9/37.0, 56.1/50.0, and 70.4/60.9%. OME resolution followed a simple linear time curve with slopes of 13.5% (confidence interval [CI] = 12.2% to 14.8%, r(2) = .99) and 11.9% (CI = 10.1% to 13.6%, r(2) = .99) resolutions per year for ears and children, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a natural, age-related pattern of resolution for persistent OME that affects most infants and young children with cleft palate that is not affected by palatoplasty.

Conductive Hearing Loss and Otopathology in Cleft Palate Patients

OBJECTIVES: Assess incidence of conductive hearing loss, ear pathology, and associated communicative disorders in cleft palate patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of 101 patients all treated at a tertiary facility since birth.

RESULTS: The median patient age was 19 years old (range 8–25) at last follow-up, 35% female. Median age of cleft palate repair was 16 months (range 12–60). Median number of myringotomy tubes was 3 (range 1–7). Conductive hearing loss (CHL) greater than 20 db PTA was found in 25% of patients at last follow-up. Severity of CHL was mild in 75%, moderate in 21%, and severe in 4%. Cholesteatoma was identified in 5.9%. The mean age at resolution of CHL was 5 years (range 3–19). Risk factors associated with CHL at last follow-up included middle ear surgery ( P = 0.016), cholesteatoma ( P = 0.003), and 4 or more myringotomy tube insertions ( P = 0.030). Associations between CHL and age at cleft repair, speech impairment, or learning disabilities were not found.

CONCLUSIONS: Children requiring increased number of myringotomy tubes and middle ear surgery and found to have cholesteatoma are at increased risk for long-standing CHL.

EBM rating: C-4

SIGNIFICANCE: Cleft palate children requiring multiple tube insertions should be monitored closely for CHL.

Hearing outcomes in patients with cleft lip/palate

Objective : Children with cleft lip and palate or cleft palate only have a high incidence of conductive hearing loss from otitis media with effusion. Studies demonstrating longitudinal results are lacking. This study was undertaken to investigate long-term longitudinal hearing outcomes of children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate and cleft palate only. Design : Retrospective chart review. Setting : Clinical charts of patients born with cleft lip and palate or cleft palate only in 1985 to 1994 who were referred to the cleft team in Bergen, Norway. Study findings include 15 years of follow-up. Participants : The study population consisted of 317 children of whom 159 had nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate and 158 had nonsyndromic cleft palate. Main Outcome Measures : Pure tone average calculated from pure tone audiometry at ages 4, 6, and 15 years. Results : The median pure tone average significantly improved with increasing age. For the cleft lip and palate group, the median pure tone average at ages 4, 6, and 15 years was 16 dB hearing level (HL), 13 dB HL, and 9 dB HL, respectively (P ≤ .001). In the cleft palate group the median pure tone average at ages 4, 6, and 15 years was 15 dB HL, 12 dB HL, and 9 dB HL, respectively (P ≤ .001). There was no significant difference in the hearing levels between the two groups. Patients who had surgical closure of the palate at age 18 months had a significantly better pure tone average outcome at age 15 compared with patients who had surgery at 12 months. Conclusions : Hearing improves significantly from childhood to adolescence in patients with cleft lip and palate and cleft palate only.

Can peripheral hearing justify the speech disorders in children with operated cleft palate?

Introduction Any impairment in the hearing ability of a child with cleft lip and palate may cause difficulties in receptive and expressive language. Purpose Check the association between velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD), compensatory articulation (CA), and peripheral hearing loss in children with cleft palate surgery. Methods Retrospective study with 60 children (group 1: presence of VPD and CA; group 2: absence of VPD, presence of CA; group 3: presence of VDP, absence of CA; group 4: absence of VPD and CA), age 4 to 5 years old, with cleft palate surgery, through the analysis of the hearing, VP, and speech evaluations. Results Group 4 presented 80% normal hearing; group 1 had 60% hearing loss. The conductive hearing loss type was the most frequent. The glottal stop was the most frequent in group 1 and the middorsum palatal plosive in group 2. There was no significant association (p = 0.05) between hearing loss and the presence of compensatory articulations (groups 2 and 4), nor between hearing loss and the presence of VPD (groups 3 and 4; p = 0.12). Statistical significance (p = 0.025) was found when the group with VPD was associated with the group with CA, that is, group 1 with the control group (group 4). Conclusion Significant association between peripheral hearing loss, compensatory articulations, and VPD was verified for the children in group 1, which not only presented compensatory articulations but also VPD.

The incidence of secretory otitis media in cases of cleft palate

OBJECTIVE

Children with a Cleft Palate (CLP) and with or without cleft lips (non-syndromic) universally present with Secretory Otitis Media (SOM). The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of secretory otitis media that occurs in patients with cleft palates and to confirm the existence of these manifestations by doing a Basic Audiologic Evaluation (BAE).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study was done on forty four male and female children who were within the 2 to 14 years age range, with non-syndromic cleft palates with or without cleft lips, with the symptoms of SOM. Otoscopy examinations were done in all the cases. X-rays of the mastoids (both sides) were done in all the cases to detect the pneumatization of the mastoid air cell system. The Basic Audiologic Evaluation (BAE) includes an evaluation by tympanometry of the middle ear function and an evaluation by pure tone audiometry to establish the type of hearing loss.

RESULTS

A majority of the patients (47.27%) were in the age group of eight-to-fourteen (8-14) years. The Basic Audiologic Evaluation (BAE) revealed that 77.27% of the children had presented with normal hearing; 13.6% had conductive hearing loss and 2.2% had presented with a mixed hearing loss. We noticed that 68.2% of the children had type A curves; 21.2% of the children had type C tympanometry curves; 7.1% had type B curves and 3.5% had Ad curves. The contralateral acoustic reflex was present in 54.5% of the children and 45.5% did not have this reflex. A majority of the patients (46%) showed sclerotic changes in their mastoid air cell systems in the X-rays of the mastoids.

CONCLUSION

The significantly higher prevalence of SOM in the children with cleft was confirmed by the study. Also, the hearing loss which was associated with SOM was evident and it demonstrated that there was a high prevalence of a mild conductive hearing loss when SOM was present. The cleft palate contributed to the occurrence of the secretory otitis media and it required proper ENT and audiological follow ups.

Application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health–Children and Youth Version (ICF-CY) to Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective

In recent health policy discussions, the World Health Organization has urged member states to implement the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children and Youth Version in their clinical practice and research. The purpose of this study was to identify codes from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children and Youth Version relevant for use among children with cleft lip and/or palate, thereby highlighting the potential value of these codes for interprofessional cleft palate-craniofacial teams.

Design

The scope of recent published research in the area of cleft lip and/or palate was reviewed and compared with meaningful terms identified from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children and Youth Version. In a five-step procedure, a consensus-based list of terms was developed that was linked separately to International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children and Youth Version categories and codes. This provided a first draft of a core set for use in the cleft lip and/or palate field.

Conclusions

Adopting International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: Children and Youth Version domains in cleft lip and/or palate may aid experts in identifying appropriate starting points for assessment, counseling, and therapy. When used as a clinical tool, it encourages health care professionals to go beyond treatment and outcome perspectives that are focused solely on the child and to include the children's environment and their familial/societal context. In order to establish improved, evidence-based interdisciplinary treatments for children with cleft lip and/or palate, more studies are needed that seek to identify all the influencing conditions of activities, children's participation, and barriers/facilitators in their environments.

The Management of Otitis Media with Early Routine Insertion of Grommets in Children with Cleft Palate—A Systematic Review

Objective:

To determine whether early routine grommet insertion in children with cleft palate has a beneficial effect on hearing and speech and language development compared with conservative management.

Design:

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, case series, and prospective and historical cohort studies.

Main Outcome Measures:

The main outcome measure was the effect of early routine grommet placement on the degree of conductive hearing loss. Secondary outcome measures included differences in hearing level, possible side effects, speech and language development, and quality of life.

Results:

We identified 368 citations for review. From a review of the titles, 34 potentially relevant papers were selected. Of these, 18 studies met our inclusion criteria, including eight case series, six historical cohort studies, three prospective cohort studies, and one randomized trial. Most studies were either small or of poor quality or both. The results of the studies were contradictory, with some studies suggesting early placement of grommets was beneficial and others reporting there was no benefit.

Conclusions:

There is currently insufficient evidence on which to base the clinical practice of early routine grommet placement in children with cleft palate.

Does palatal muscle reconstruction affect the functional outcome of cleft palate surgery?

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to compare two-layer palatoplasty (Wardill-Kilner V-Y pushback technique) without intravelar veloplasty versus three-layer palatoplasty (Kriens technique) with intravelar veloplasty with regard to postoperative functional outcome of eustachian tube and velopharyngeal competence.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted enrolling 70 patients with nonsyndromic cleft palate (except submucous type of cleft) over a period of 2 years. They were divided into two main groups according to the type of cleft palate: group A (Veau class II) included 32 patients and group B (Veau class I) included 38 patients. In each group, Wardill-Kilner palatoplasty (two-layer repair without intravelar veloplasty) versus Kriens palatoplasty (three-layer repair with intravelar veloplasty) was randomly selected for patients.

RESULTS

For the three-layer palatoplasty in both groups, there was a greater tendency for resolution of secretory otitis media in the early postoperative period, less time required for extrusion of the grommet tube, and a lower incidence of recurrent secretory otitis media. The incidence of postoperative velopharyngeal incompetence was greater with two-layer palatoplasty group. The incidence of palatal fistula was greater with three-layer palatoplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

Palatal muscle reconstruction in cleft palate patients confers better functional results regarding velopharyngeal competence and eustachian tube function. Although the overall incidence of postoperative palatal fistula is within the accepted range, the incidence of fistula is higher in the palatal muscle reconstruction subgroup. Future studies are required that include a larger number of patients.

Chronische Tubendysfunktion und ihre Folgeerkrankungen bei Erwachsenen mit einseitiger Lippen-Kiefer-Gaumen-Spalte

BACKGROUND

While almost all children with cleft palate develop eustachian tube dysfunction, this tends to normalize with age although it remains impaired in a number of patients.

METHODS

Eustachian tube function was evaluated by tympanometry in 40 patients with an average age of 19.9 years. The number of patients with chronic otitis media, a sequelae of chronic eustachian tube dysfunction, was determined microscopically and from the patient's history. Hearing was assessed by pure tone

RESULTS

Eustachian tube dysfunction was found bilaterally in 25% of the patients and unilaterally in 6%, while chronic otitis media was found in 32.5% and 12.5%, respectively. The hearing level did not differ between the side of the cleft and the opposite side (P=0.562).

CONCLUSION

Nearly a third of the adult patients still suffered from eustachian tube dysfunction. Pathological tympanograms and chronic otitis media usually occurred bilaterally. A relationship between the side of the cleft and the side on which the eustachian tube dysfunction or its sequelae occurred was not apparent. The main reason seems to be the continuing bilateral muscular insufficiency in opening the eustachian tube.