Abstract

BackgroundVelopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) therapy for cleft palate (speech therapy alone, speech therapy using speech aids, or combined therapy such as speech therapy using a pharyngeal flap), is more effective in younger patients than in adult patients. Speech therapy is known as very difficult for patients who still have VPI as an adult. Because of the possibility of subsequent speech disorders, the timing of surgery for cleft palate is accelerating. Herein, we present a case of an adult with articulation disorder due to VPI who was treated by speech therapy and a speech-aid prosthesis.Case presentationA woman who underwent cleft palate surgery at 8 years of age still had difficulty with articulation due to VPI as a 24-year-old adult because of a lack of continuous speech therapy. We decided to use a speech-aid application using palatal lift, and a reduction program was conducted four times, along with simultaneous speech therapy, over a period of 1 year and 7 months. During the therapy period, she was able to speak normally within a relatively short period of time, and after implementation of the reduction program, the therapy was completed by completely removing the device. Long-term observations have shown normal speech function without recurrence, even after the device was removed.ConclusionAs seen in this case, speech therapy using speech aids can show a good result for adult patients with cleft palate who missed the usual timing for the treatment of articulation disorders, depending on the situation. Therefore, it is hereby reported as a therapy option worthy of consideration.

Highlights

  • Submucous cleft palate (SMCP), a type of cleft palate, is a congenital disease caused by abnormal development of the soft palate muscle tissue

  • When speech aids are applied to children and adolescents with articulation disorder and history of cleft palate, the prognosis is good; the prognosis is uncertain when applied to adults

  • When patients who underwent surgery due to cleft palate continue to show articulation disorder caused by Velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI), they can show normal speech function after a removal program without any equipment if they are treated with a speech-aid appliance at the age of 6–12 years, when the soft palate length and muscle movement are relatively adequately maintained [14]

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Summary

Conclusion

This case involved a patient who underwent surgery due to an incomplete cleft palate when she was a child. VPI treatment using a speech aid appliance is more effective when applied at a young age, if a multi-angle speech test for articulation disorder is performed, and treatment plans using speech therapy and a speech-aid prosthesis are established based on the examination, as in the current case, speech therapy using speech aids can show good results for adult patients with a history of a cleft palate. It is hereby reported as a therapy option worthy of consideration

Introduction
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Discussion
Findings
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