Speech Outcomes of Treatment for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency: Combined Use of an Overlapping Intravelar Veloplasty and Dynamic Sphincter Pharyngoplasty

Abstract

Background: Velopharyngeal insufficiency involving a large velopharyngeal gap and poor lateral wall movement is referred to as a "black hole" and remains a challenging problem for cleft surgeons. The effect of the pharyngeal flap on this form of velopharyngeal insufficiency is still debatable because a wide pharyngeal flap is associated with a high incidence of airway obstruction. The present study aimed to evaluate the speech outcomes of combined overlapping intravelar veloplasty and dynamic sphincter pharyngoplasty for the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Methods: Between March 2016 and June 2019, 15 patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency were treated with a combination of overlapping intravelar veloplasty and dynamic sphincter pharyngoplasty. Preoperative speech evaluation was performed on the basis of perceptual speech evaluation, nasometry, and nasoendoscopy. Postoperative speech evaluation using the same approach as that used preoperatively was performed after completion of speech therapy.

Results: All 15 patients achieved satisfactory velopharyngeal port closure and speech phonation after completion of speech therapy. No additional procedures were performed to improve velopharyngeal port closure and speech production. The preoperative and postoperative results of perceptual speech evaluation, nasometry, and nasoendoscopy evaluation were significantly different (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Combined treatment with overlapping intravelar veloplasty and dynamic sphincter pharyngoplasty can correct the velopharyngeal insufficiency "black hole" with highly reliable results and minimal risk of airway obstruction.