Pathophysiology of the Eustachian tube--relevant new aspects for the head and neck surgeon.

Objectives: The impact of cranio-maxillofacial procedures upon Eustachian tube function is still largely unknown. The aim of this presentation is to depict new aspects of Eustachian tube function and to demonstrate its importance to cranio-maxillofacial surgery.

Methods: Two different groups of patients were examined both clinically and by MRI of the Eustachian tube region.

[A new aspect on the development of chronic middle ear diseases in patients with cleft palate].

Background: The prevalence of chronic middle ear disease in patients after surgery for cleft palate is about 50%. Aim of the present study was to analyse its morphological and physiological causes to prevent chronic atelectatic otitis media or cholesteatoma.

Methods: 15 adult patients with cleft palate were examined using middle ear microscopy, pure tone audiometry, EMG of the tensor veli palatini muscle and MRI of the Eustachian tube.