Effect of Modified Furlow Vs Two-Flap Technique on Eustachian Tube Function

Background: One of the most common congenital defects of the face is cleft palate (CP). A middle ear issue nearly always affects children who have cleft palates. The way that palatoplasty is performed has a significant impact on how well middle ear function is restored after CP correction.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the significance of modified Furlow vs two-flaps technique on Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction.
Patients and methods: Seventy two cleft palate patients were divided into 2 groups: Group1 included 42 patients done by modified Furlow Z-plasty operation. Group 2 included 30 patients done by two flaps palatoplasty. Pre- and post-operative ear evaluation done at 1, 3,6,12 months.
Results: Repair of cleft palate leading to direct improvement of ET dysfunction improvement ear function. Modified Furlow showed early improvement at 3 months post-operative of middle ear function (p value 0.004), but had no superiority after one year over two flaps Palato-plasty.
Conclusion: The two procedures showed significant effect as regards decreasing severity of ET function and middle ear affection. Thus, supporting conservative management of middle ear effusion instead of prophylactic tube insertion.