Long Term Study of Otitis Media with Effusion after Palatoplasty and Myringotomy with Ventilation Tube Insertion

Abstract

Objective: To identify the incidence of recurrent otitis media in cleft palate patients after palatoplasty and myringotomy with ventilation tube (VT) insertion in addition to identifying risk factors of recurrent otitis media with effusion (OME). Material and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted from; January 2002 – December 2014. A total of 120 non-syndromic cleft palate patients were included and analyzed for risk factors contributing to recurrent otitis media with effusion. Results: In total, 77.5% of the VT slipped off at 10 months after their initial operation. The incidence of recurrent OME was 54.2% at 7 months after VT slipped off. Significant risk factors that were associated to recurrent OME included: complete cleft palate, two-stage palatoplasty and VT slip-off (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of recurrence OME was 54.2%, and risk factors for recurrence OME are VT slipped off, complete cleft palate and two-stage palatoplasty.