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Impact Of Tensor Reconstruction In Cleft Palate Repair On Otologic Outcomes
Fiona S. Griffin, MS1, Margaret Wang, BS
1, Ali Mansour, BS
1, Jan C. Groblewski, MD
2, Albert S. Woo, MD, FACS
1.
1The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,
2Pediatric Otolaryngology, Brown University Health, Providence, RI, USA.
Purpose: This study evaluates the impact of tensor reconstruction (TR) during cleft palate repair on the number of myringotomy and tympanostomy (M&T) procedures and otologic outcomes.Methods: A retrospective cohort study identified patients undergoing cleft palate repair with M&T prior to two years of age between 2008 and 2023 with otologic follow-up of at least 3 years. Patients were grouped based on whether TR was performed. Outcomes analyzed per ear included the number of M&T procedures, otitis media (OM) incidence, effusion, otorrhea and audiometry. Statistical analysis used Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square.
Results: 67 patients (128 ears) were included: 46 TR (35.9%) and 82 without TR (64.0%). Follow-up periods were grouped as 1-3 years and over 3 years post-M&T. Patients with TR required fewer M&T procedures (mean 1.70, SD = 0.87) than those without TR (mean 2.17, SD = 1.37). Chi-square analysis showed lower incidence of OM 1-3 years (p < 0.001) and beyond 3 years (p < 0.006) for TR. Incidence of otorrhea was significantly lower within 1-3 years (p=0.009) for TR, whereas not significantly beyond 3 years (p=0.118). Hearing outcomes significantly improved within 1-3 years (p=0.074) and beyond 3 years (p=0.118) for TR, though effusion rates did not differ (p=0.533, p=0.439).Conclusion: Tensor reconstruction for cleft palate repair is associated with fewer M&T procedures, lower OM rates, and improved hearing outcomes overtime, demonstrating potential for broader adoption in cleft palate repair.
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