The effect of early routine grommet insertion on management of otitis media with effusion in children with cleft palate.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The aim of the study is to compare long term otoscopic and audiological findings of cleft palate patients with or without early grommet insertion.

METHODS:

Cleft palate patients followed-up in Hacettepe University between 2008 and 2013 were included in the study. Age, gender, cleft types and palate surgery data, grommet tube insertion history and otological - audiological evaluations of the patients were recorded. Patients were evaluated in three groups according to grommet insertion history: A-early routine grommet insertion, B-grommet insertion during follow-up, C-no grommet insertion. Otological and audiological findings were compared.

RESULTS:

There were 154 patients in the study, with a median age of 7.7 years. There were 67 patients in group A (43.5%), 22 patients in group B (14.3%) and 65 patients in group C (42.2%). OME was identified significantly higher in group A and normal otoscopic examination findings were higher in group C. Complications showed a higher rate than other otoscopic findings in group B patients. There was no significant difference for any frequencies in between the groups in terms of mean air-bone gap (ABG) values. There were 20 grade I, 25 grade II, 77 grade III and 32 grade IV patients in the study according to the Veau classification.

CONCLUSION:

Prophylactic grommet insertion may not be applied as some cleft palate patients with no OME. Wait and see protocol can be recommended for these patients, and they should be followed-up up closely to avoid complications. If the effusion does not recover or tympanic membrane changes occur in follow-up, grommet insertion should be considered.

• Authors: Oğuz Kuşcu, Rıza Önder Günaydın, Mehtap İcen, Onur Ergün, Mavis Emel Kulak Kayikci, Taner Yılmaz, Fatma Figen Özgür, Mehmet Umut Akyol
• Journal: Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery (J Craniomaxillofac Surg) Vol. 43 Issue 10 Pg. 2112-5 (Dec 2015) ISSN: 1878-4119 [Electronic] Scotland
• PMID: 26545930 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Child
• Cleft Palate (complications)
• Humans
• Middle Ear Ventilation (methods)
• Otitis Media with Effusion (surgery)