Laryngeal Airway Resistance in Cleft Palate Children with Complete and Incomplete Velopharyngeal Closure

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of velopharyngeal insufficiency on aerodynamic measures of laryngeal function in children with cleft palate. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. The independent variable was velopharyngeal closure, and the dependent variables were laryngeal resistance, laryngeal airflow, and transglottal pressure. Age and gender were covariates. The data were collected at The Craniofacial Center, University of Illinois, a tertiary health care center located in Chicago. Thirty-six children with cleft palate were recruited from among the patients at The Craniofacial Center. Ten children with velopharyngeal areas >5 mm2 during oral speech were placed in the incomplete closure group, while 26 children with areas <1 mm2 were placed in the complete closure group. The three dependent variables (transglottal pressure, transglottal airflow, and laryngeal resistance) were measured. Laryngeal resistance and transglottal pressure were significantly higher, and transglottal airflow was significantly lower in the group with complete closure. In summary, cleft palate patients with complete velopharyngeal closure exhibited higher laryngeal resistances than those with incomplete closure.