Children with cleft palate who received tympanostomy tubes during palate repair showed improved hearing and fewer middle ear problems on follow-up audiometry. The retrospective review at Maastricht University Medical Centre found that most patients had otitis media with effusion before surgery, and nearly nine in ten demonstrated better air-conduction thresholds after tube insertion. Few developed long-term tympanic-membrane issues. Researchers concluded that selective tube placement during cleft repair may help prevent recurrent effusion and support postoperative ear health.

Source: Ear, Nose & Throat Journal