Rights Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License Patulous Eustachian tube after Le Fort I Osteotomy in a Cleft Palate Patient

Accepted for publication by the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery A 28 year old man with a repaired cleft palate presenting with symptoms of a patulous eustachian tube (PET) unilaterally after uneventful Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy is reported. PET is a rare condition which is unknown in relation to orthognathic surgery and may represent a rare complication. Introduction. Under normal circumstances, the Eustachian tube (ET) remains closed at rest but is opened during swallowing by muscle action associated with elevation of the soft palate. Patulous Eustachian tube (PET) is defined as an abnormal patency of the Eustachian tube and presents with symptoms of ear congestion or fullness, tinnitus and autophony (i.e., a