title: The effect of very early cleft palate closure on the need for ventilation tubes in the first years of life.
abstract: The otologic consequences associated with cleft palates are well known. Closure of palatal clefts within the first weeks of life has many potential benefits, including improved feeding and cosmesis. The potential otologic benefits of very early closure are not known. Eighteen newborns have undergone closure of their palatal clefts within the first month of life with subsequent otolaryngology follow-up through our craniofacial center. Thirteen (72%) of the 18 still required placement of ventilation tubes during their first 3 years of life because of persistent effusion (for more than 120 days) or recurrent infection (more than four episodes in 6 months or more than six episodes in 12 months). Very early cleft palate closure may not significantly alter the need for ventilation tubes in children with palatal clefts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk 23507-1912, USA.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Nunn
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Derkay
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Darrow
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Strasnick
mesh_terms: D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies