RESUMEN
Objectives: To examine: 1) the audiology outcomes in cleft palate patients with otitis media with effusion (OME) after myringotomy with pressure equalizing tube (PE tube), 2) the extrusion time of the PE tubes, and 3) the recurrence of the disease. Material and Method: Study population were patients with cleft palate who received treatment in a multidisciplinary program "Smart Smile & Speech Project" at Srinagarind Hospital from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2009. Retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients with OME who had received treatment by myringotomy with PE tube at least one year or more before the time of study. Thirty-six patients (69 ears) were enrolled in the study. The patient's parents or caregiver(s) were contacted by telephone call or mail for a patient's follow-up of hearing evaluation. The audiology outcomes before and after myringotomy with PE tube were compared. Results: The results of the hearing, comparing before and after myringotomy with PE tube at least 1 year, were found improvement in 11 ears (16%). The hearing did not improve in 58 ears (84%) all due to extrusion of the PE tube prior to the time of study (69/69, 100%). Recurrence of the disease was observed in 30 patients (84%). Persistent tympanic membrane perforation with chronic otorrhea was found in 7 ears (10%). Conclusion: After at least 1 year of myringotomy with PE tube, the audiology outcomes in the patients of cleft palate with OME did not improve and additionally a high recurrence rate was observed.