Bifid uvula: prevalence and association in otitis media with effusion in children admitted for routine otolaryngological operations.

Over a six month period, 709 children admitted for routine ENT operations were surveyed with regard to the presence of a bifid uvula as seen whilst under a general anaesthetic. The prevalence was found to be 7.5 per cent (53:709) which is higher than other published figures for a Caucasian population. There was a statistically significant male predominance (2.5:1). Comparison between those children found to have otitis media with effusion at operation and those having dry myringotomies, or operations not including myringotomy, revealed a similar prevalence of bifid uvula. Thus, this data does not support the hypothesis myringotomy, revealed a similar prevalence of bifid uvula. Thus, this data does not support the hypothesis that bifid uvula as a microform of cleft palate is associated with an increased incidence of otitis media with effusion.