Nasal Mucociliary Function in Patients with Cleft Palate

Abstract

We examined nasal mucociliary transport by the saccharin method and nasal ciliary beating frequency by the photoelectric method in cleft palate patients and normal subjects. The saccharin time was longer in cleft palate patients than that in normal subjects. Cleft palate patients were devided into two groups: group 1 with sinusitis and group 2 without sinusitis. The saccharin time was longer in group 1 than in group 2 and longer in group 2 than in normal subjects. Ciliary beating frequency of the nasal septal mucosa was lower in cleft palate patients than in normal subjects. Cleft palate patients appeared to have impaired nasal mucociliary function.