Rhinomanometry of nasal patency in children with complete and secondary cleft palate

: The authors evaluated the morphology of nasal cavities and nasal patency using active anterior rhinomanometry in 94 children (mean age 10.2 years). Complete bilateral primary and secondary cleft palate was confirmed in 28 children (29.8%), unilateral in 66 children (70.2%), where complete right-side primary and secondary cleft palate was observed in 19 children (28.8%) and complete left side primary and secondary cleft palate in 47 children (71.2%). Measurement methods were used according to Rhinomanometric Standardization Committee. Significant relationship between nasal patency examined using active anterior rhinomanometry and complete cleft palate was confirmed. High, symmetric resistance of nasal airflow was observed in children with complete bilateral primary and secondary cleft palate. Children with complete unilateral primary and secondary cleft palate were found to have asymmetric nasal airflow, higher on the cleft side. In this group mean nasal airflow resistance was higher on non-cleft side than in population without defects, whereas on clefted side it is approximal to population without defects. In children with complete bilateral primary and secondary cleft palate mean resistances distribution was symmetric but higher than in population without defects.