Auditory tube function and audiogram changes following corrective orthognathic maxillary and mandibular surgery in cleft and non-cleft patients.

Orthognathic surgery is frequently undertaken to correct maxillary hypoplasia and mandibular deformity in both the cleft and non-cleft patient. These procedures lead to surgical disruption of the pterygoid fossa. Lying within this area is the auditory tube and the muscles of the soft palate. Hearing sensitivity testing methods, auditory tube function tests and middle ear pressure measurements show that in the early post-operative period the auditory tube is not functioning normally and that there is fluid collecting in the middle ear. For some patients these tests are still abnormal when repeated 6-8 weeks post-operatively and indicate that during the postoperative period auditory tube functioning tests may be required to prevent permanent hearing impairment.