A comparison of the effects of Veau-Wardill-Kilner palatoplasty and Furlowdouble-opposing Z-plasty operations on eustachian tube function

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Veau-War dill-Kilner (VWK) two-flap palatoplasty and Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty operations on eustachian tube (ET) opening in patients with cleft palate ( CP). Design: Twenty-six patients underwent CP repair between 1993 and 1997, VWK and Furlow operations were used in 13 patients each, All patients were exam ined by the otorhinolaryngologist before end after the operations; mean fol low-up time was 27.3 months. Secretory otitis media (SOM), as identified by tympanograms, was the comparison criterion used. Results: The prevalence of SOM was 69% (n = 18) in all CP patients preopera tively. Among those with preoperative SOM, we did not find any statisticall y significant difference in the frequency of postoperative SOM between the two techniques. Conclusion: This study suggests that there is no difference in postoperativ e ET function between patients undergoing either VWK or Furlow operations, in spite of the differences in muscle positioning in these operations, We d iscuss the implications of this finding in relation to surgical anatomy and histology of the soft palate muscles.