A Comparison of the Effects of Veau-Wardill-Kilner Palatoplasty and Furlow Double-Opposing Z-Plasty Operations on Eustachian Tube Function

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Veau-Wardill-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 examined by the otorhinolaryngologist before and after the operations; mean follow-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 pre-operatively. Among those with preoperative SOM, we did not find any statistically significant difference in the frequency of postoperative SOM between the two techniques. Conclusion This study suggests that there is no difference in postoperative ET function between patients undergoing either VWK or Furlow operations, in spite of the differences in muscle positioning in these operations. We discuss the implications of this finding in relation to surgical anatomy and histology of the soft palate muscles.