Effects of RME on Hearing in UCLP Patients: A Pilot Study.

Objective: To assess the changes in hearing after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and at the end of 6 months retention period in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients using pure tone audiometry and tympanometry test.

Design: Prospective pilot study.

Setting: Tertiary health care teaching hospital in New Delhi.

Patients: This study was conducted on 6 UCLP patients in the age range of 6-14 years with normal ear anatomy. All 6 patients had undergone primary repair of cleft lip and palate and required no more than 5 mm expansion in the intermolar region.

Intervention: RME was done using a Hyrax expander with daily activation of one-quarter turn per day for a period of 15-20 days (0.25 mm per day).

Main Outcome Measure: Audiometry and tympanometry readings at the baseline as compared to the post expansion and at the end of 6 months retention period.

Results: There were no significant changes in the hearing levels on the audiometry test after RME on the cleft side (-value -0.51) and the noncleft side ear (-value -0.26). No significant changes were observed in the middle ear volume on the tympanometry test after RME on the cleft side (-value -0.09) and the noncleft side ear (-value -0.28).

Conclusion: There was no improvement or deterioration in the hearing levels after RME and at the end of 6 months retention period in UCLP patients as evaluated using pure tone audiometry and tympanometry test. Hence RME may be undertaken in UCLP patients safely in terms of hearing is concerned.