Closure of the soft palate for persistent otorrhea after placement of pressure equalization tubes in cleft palate infants.

Four case reports of infants with cleft palate and intractable otorrhea following the placement of pressure equalization tubes are presented. In one patient, liquids taken orally were noted to reflux through her ears. Otorrhea was refractory to medical management in all cases and was controlled only after closure of the soft palate. Persistent otorrhea may be an indication for early closure of the soft palate in these infants.