title: [The influence of palatoplasty and tympanotomy on middle ear function in cleft palate patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to explore the influence of palatoplasty and tympanotomy on middle ear function or hearing 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 respectively, in order to demonstrate the action of tympanotomy and PE insertion on hearing and middle ear function. Another 38 patients 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 show the influence of the operation on the middle ear function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PE Tube insertion and tympanotomy changed the pressure condition of middle ear cavity and raised the hearing level about 17 dB in the middle-ear-diseased cleft palate patients, and patients with palatoplasty did not show obvious changes in middle ear function in the short-term trail.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early and active tympanotomy do help in improving the function of the middle ear, and it is suggested to improve patients' hearing and middle ear function as early as possible. Palatoplasty did not affect the function of middle ear.
authors.affiliation: College of Stomatology, West China University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhen
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhen
mesh_terms: D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods