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Eustachian tube balloon dilation for middle ear effusion in children with cleft lip and palate
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 December 2025
Abstract
Problem
Eustachian tube balloon dilation is increasingly recognised as a minimally invasive option for middle ear effusion. However, its role in children with cleft lip and palate remains under-explored.
Methods
We prospectively evaluated 14 cleft lip and palate children (28 ears) with middle ear effusion. Group 1 (intervention) comprised 14 ears that underwent Eustachian tube balloon dilation with intranasal corticosteroids, while Group 2 (control) included 14 ears treated with intranasal corticosteroids alone. Tympanometry, pure-tone audiometry and Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 were administered before and six weeks after intervention.
Results
Eustachian tube balloon dilation significantly improved hearing thresholds (p = 0.03) and air-bone gap (p = 0.04), with favourable tympanometric changes (p < 0.05) and a significant reduction in Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire-7 scores, indicating symptom improvement. No major complications occurred.
Conclusion
Eustachian tube balloon dilation is a safe, well-tolerated and potentially effective adjunctive procedure for cleft lip and palate children with middle ear effusion. Larger randomised controlled trials are needed to validate these findings.
Information
- Type
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- Information
- Copyright
- © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.
Footnotes
Jeyasakthy Saniasiayatakes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper
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