Assessing the outcome of surgery to correct velopharyngeal insufficiency with the pediatric voice outcomes survey

Abstract

To assess the functional outcome of surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) by administering the pediatric voice outcomes survey (PVOS) to the parents of the affected children. Prospective longitudinal study. Tertiary referral pediatric otolaryngology office. Twelve children who underwent surgery to correct VPI during the 12-month-period between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2002. Parents of the 12 children were administered the PVOS prior to surgery and again 6 weeks post-operatively. The PVOS is a validated instrument designed to measure voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL). The score has been transformed to range from 0 (low V-RQOL) to 100 (high V-RQOL). The mean age of the children was 5 years (standard deviation [S.D.], 2.3 years). Seven children underwent sphincteroplasty and five had a superior based pharyngeal flap as a primary procedure. Three children required secondary procedures to correct their underlying VPI and one of those had a third procedure consisting of a posterior wall fat injection. The mean pre-operative PVOS score was 38.3 (S.D., 12) and the mean 6 weeks post-operative score was 72.3 (S.D., 22.7) (paired t-test; P < 0.001). The PVOS represents a valid clinical tool to measure the functional impact of surgery to correct pediatric velopharyngeal insufficiency.