Velopharyngeal Incompetence Research Articles

Outcome of Palate Re-repair with Radical Repositioning of the Levator Muscle Sling as a First-Line Strategy in Postpalatoplasty Velopharyngeal Incompetence Management Protocol.

Palatal re-repair aims to improve velar function by retropositioning the levator muscles. Although it has become a popular procedure, very few studies document its efficacy. To date, this is the largest series reported to clarify its indications and efficacy. One hundred eighty-three consecutive cleft patients presenting with velopharyngeal incompetence and evidence of abnormally oriented levator muscles underwent palate re-repair (regardless of the gap size) performed by a single surgeon from 2000 to 2015. Perceptual speech assessment was performed using the Pittsburgh Weighted Speech Score. Other patients' demographic data were collected. Complete records of 111 patients were available. Eighteen cases were syndromic (18.9 percent). Postoperatively, there was highly significant improvement (p < 0.001) in nasal emission (from 2.24 to 0.64), nasality (from 3.44 to 1.27), articulation (from 5.32 to 2.01), and total score (from 11.29 to 4.11). Speech became normal/borderline normal, improved or did not improve in 66.7, 24.3, and 9 percent of patients, respectively. An initial diagnosis of isolated cleft palate, Caucasians, intravelar veloplasty in the primary repair, older patients, and nonsyndromic cases were associated with better outcome. There were no reported cases of postoperative fistula or new obstructive sleep apnea. This large series study provides confirmatory evidence of the effectiveness and safety of the re-repair procedure. It is recommended as a first-line procedure in all velopharyngeal incompetence cases with abnormally oriented levator muscles regardless of gap size, even if the primary operation included prior muscle dissection. The pharyngoplasty rate could be significantly reduced with the current protocol. Therapeutic, IV.

Fascia Lata Free Flap Reconstruction of Limited Hard Palate Defects.

Objective The anterior-lateral thigh (ALT) free flap is a flexible reconstructive option with fascia lata, fasciocutaneous, and musculocutaneous options. The objective of this study is to evaluate ALT fascia lata free flap reconstruction of isolated hard palate defects.Methods Retrospective chart review of all palate reconstructions with ALT free flap from 2008-2017 by a single surgeon, at a tertiary academic institution. Patients with defects limited to the hard palate were selected for review.ResultsForty-eight patients were identified, of which 14 patients had limited palatal defects repaired with fascia lata free flaps and were selected for review. The average hospital stay for all patients was 2.8 days (range 1-4 days). Eighty-five percent of patients were started on an oral diet from post-operative day (POD) one. Ten of 14 were extubated at the end of the case, with four being extubated on POD one. One patient suffered donor site morbidity, which required intervention (one seroma requiring drainage). Two patients underwent minor palatal revisions with local tissue rearrangement for recurrent fistula. No patients suffered long-term velopharyngeal inadequacy (VPI) or dysphagia, and all reported normal nasal respiration.ConclusionThe ALT fascia lata free flap is a versatile reconstructive option for hard palate defects, with minimal morbidity, short hospital stays, and excellent long-term results.

Single-Stage Repair of Palatal Fistula and Velopharyngeal Incompetence by the New L Flap.

To describe and assess the results of use of the new L-shaped posterior pharyngeal flap for repair of both palatal fistula and velopharyngeal incompetence. This study included 10 patients who were diagnosed to have soft palate fistula and persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). L-shaped superiorly based pharyngeal flap was harvested from oropharynx and inserted into the soft palate closing the fistula after fistula trimming. The palatal part of the flap (transverse limb) was spread 1 cm horizontally and 1 cm in the anteroposterior direction in soft palate at fistula site closing it without tension. Prior to and after surgery, patients were assessed by examination, video-nasoendoscopy, and speech assessment. Closure of the palatal fistula could be achieved in all patients. Postoperative speech assessment showed significant improvement in the nasal emission, resonance, intraoral pressure, and articulation defects. Grade 4 velopharyngeal valve closure (complete closure) could be achieved in all patients. No patients showed dehiscence (partial or total) of the flap and no obstructive sleep apnea reported. The new used L-shaped pharyngeal flap could properly close palatal fistula and correct velopharyngeal functions (closure and speech) in patients with persistent VPI with no reported significant complication and without the need for palatal dissection or flaps.

A comprehensive management protocol to treat cleft maxillary hypoplasia

AimTo describe a comprehensive management protocol to treat cleft maxillary hypoplasia specific to the patient's age, degree of hypoplasia and presence or absence of velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI). Materials and methodsA total of 359 patients suffering from cleft maxillary hypoplasia were retrospectively studied from January 2004 till June 2015. Lateral cephalograms were taken to assess the degree of deformity and advancement achieved at three intervals. Patients were treated by four treatment modalities: Facemask therapy, Anterior maxillary advancement, Total maxillary osteogenesis and LeFort I advancement. Results359 patients of cleft maxillary hypoplasia were treated and followed up for a mean of 25 ± 3.6 months. Group I had 20 patients, all in the pre-pubertal age group with less than 11 mm discrepancy. 25% of patients in this group had relapse; Group II: 196 patients who were all above 11 years of age and included all grades of hypoplasia, only 6.25% patients had relapse; Group III had 36 patients all with severe form of hypoplasia and were above 5 years of age. Relapse in this group was 16.6%; Group IV had 102 patients who were above 16 years of age and had mildmoderate severity of hypoplasia. Relapse rate was 18.75%. ConclusionExtensive literature search and our institutional study has helped us formulate a protocol that delineates the most appropriate treatment modality for a specific age group and degree of hypoplasia also considering the effect of treatment on velopharyngeal incompetence.

Medical Issues in Playing the Oboe: A Literature Review.

Playing a musical instrument can affect physical and mental health. A literature review was conducted to determine the prevalence of health problems among oboists, which medical conditions can be caused or exacerbated by playing, whether oboe playing can be a protective factor, and whether recommendations are possible as to who should or should not play the oboe. Searches in 7 databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SocIndex, PsyIndex, Psychinfo) yielded a total of 950 studies; after exclusion of duplicates and those not meeting eligibility criteria, 37 articles were selected for final analysis. In addition, Google Scholar and a musicology library served as additional sources, revealing another 6 publications for inclusion. As a result, some evidence was found for musculoskeletal problems, focal dystonia, stress velopharyngeal incompetence, increased intraocular pressure and glaucoma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, lower pulmonary function, disease transmission via instruments, and hearing loss due to noise exposure. Playing the oboe may be protective against obstructive sleep apnea. However, due to small sample sizes, uncertain reproducibility of findings, and lack of accurate descriptions of problems reported by oboists, far more evidence would be necessary to answer the research questions conclusively. There was no evidence for causal relationships, and thus no recommendations can be made regarding who should (not) play the oboe. To improve the quality of medical care for these musicians and to implement prevention strategies, future investigations with more in-depth instrument-specific analyses and higher numbers of participants are needed.

Prosthodontic Rehabilitation of Arabic Speaking Individuals with Velopharyngeal Incompetence: A Preliminary Study.

Background:Hypernasality is a frequently encountered problem in the speech of individuals with velopharyngeal incompetence. The use of palatal lift appliance (PLA) is the main treatment option for correction of velopharyngeal incompetence. The literature on the outcomes of using prosthetics treatment for Arabic speaking patients is scarce.Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using PLA on hypernasality of Arabic speaking patients with velopharyngeal incompetence.Methods:Six participants with age ranging from 9 to 61 years (4 males and 2 females) were recruited between October 2013 and August 2014. Written informed consents were taken from all the adult participants/the guardians of under-aged participants. All patients exhibited hypernasality with different etiologies for velopharyngeal incompetence (head injury, cerebrovascular accident, and neurological disorders). They were treated with PLAs which were constructed to elevate the dysfunctional soft palate. Nasalance scores and perceptual speech acceptability ratings were measured/evaluated in both situations; with and without appliances. Paired t-test was used to analyze the perceptual ratings and nasalance scores in order to detect any significant change in hypernasality pre and post insertion of PLA.Results:There was a statistically significant decrease (p>0.05) in nasalance scores (Pa, Pi, Ma, Mi, a, i) after PLA insertion. The subtest /u/ showed insignificant change (p= 0.056). Perceptual ratings showed significant reduction in hypernasality which was consistent with nasalance measurements.Conclusion:PLAs can reduce hypernasality in Arabic speaking patients who suffer from velopharyngeal impairment.

Three-dimensional evaluation of the airway spaces in patients with and without cleft lip and palate: A digital volume tomographic study.

Patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) suffer from several esthetic and functional challenges. Comprehensive treatment of these patients involves orthognathic surgery that may lead to velopharyngeal insufficiency or reduction in lower airway. Several cases of airway insufficiency, velopharyngeal incompetence, snoring, hypopnea, and obstructive sleep apnea have been reported in subjects with CLP. The aim of this study was to compare the anteroposterior dimensions of the oropharyngeal airway at 5 levels, the height of the oropharyngeal column, and the volume of the oropharyngeal airway in subjects with and without CLP. The sample consisted of 62 patients with CLP and 42 subjects with Angle Class I malocclusion. Anteroposterior dimension, height, and volume of the oropharyngeal airway were measured using the midsagittal and axial slices obtained from 3-dimensional digital volume tomographic scans for both groups. The anteroposterior dimensions of the airway were significantly reduced in the study subjects compared with the control group at the level of the postnasal spine, the base of the tongue, and the epiglottis. The airway dimensions measured on the axial sections at the level of the palatal and epiglottic plane were also significantly lower in the study group. The height and volume of the oropharyngeal airway were also significantly smaller in patients with CLP compared with subjects without CLP. Patients with CLP showed reduced dimensions and volumes of the oropharyngeal airway in all 3 planes compared with the control group.

Subjective and Objective Assessment of Lateral videofluroscopy for patients with velopharyngeal valve incompetence

This study was designed to comparesubjective and objective assessment of lateral videoflruroscopyin patients with velopharyngeal valve incompetence. It is prospective randomized blind study of lateral videofluroscopic recordings whether subjectively by 3 different examiners or objectively.19 consecutive patients with previously repaired cleft palates and symptomatic velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI). The results of this study no significant difference between subjective and objective evaluation of velar length (P value =0.113) or velar thickness (P value = 0.752). So subjective assessment of velar length and thickness is effective in comparison with objective assessment and further research on a big sized sample is recommended.

Velopharyngeal closure pattern and speech performance among submucous cleft palate patients

To characterize the velopharyngeal closure patterns and speech performance among submucous cleft palate patients. Patients with submucous cleft palate visiting the Department of Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University between 2008 and 2016 were reviewed. Outcomes of subjective speech evaluation including velopharyngeal function, consonant articulation, and objective nasopharyngeal endoscopy including the mobility of soft palate, pharyngeal walls were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 353 cases were retrieved in this study, among which 138 (39.09%) demonstrated velopharyngeal competence, 176 (49.86%) velopharyngeal incompetence, and 39 (11.05%) marginal velopharyngeal incompetence. A total of 268 cases were subjected to nasopharyngeal endoscopy examination, where 167 (62.31%) demonstrated circular closure pattern, 89 (33.21%) coronal pattern, and 12 (4.48%) sagittal pattern. Passavant's ridge existed in 45.51% (76/167) patients with circular closure and 13.48% (12/89) patients with coronal closure. Among the 353 patients included in this study, 137 (38.81%) presented normal articulation, 124 (35.13%) consonant elimination, 51 (14.45%) compensatory articulation, 36 (10.20%) consonant weakening, 25 (7.08%) consonant replacement, and 36 (10.20%) multiple articulation errors. Circular closure was the most prevalent velopharyngeal closure pattern among patients with submucous cleft palate, and high-pressure consonant deletion was the most common articulation abnormality. Articulation error occurred more frequently among patients with a low velopharyngeal closure rate.

The comparative study of resonance disorders for Vietnamese and Korean cleft palate speakers using nasometer

BackgroundNasalance is used to evaluate the velopharyngeal incompetence in clinical diagnoses using a nasometer. The aim of this study is to find the nasalance differences between Vietnamese cleft palate children and Korean cleft palate children by measuring the nasalance of five oral vowels.MethodsTen Vietnamese cleft palate children after surgery, three Vietnamese children for the control group, and ten Korean cleft palate children after surgery with the same age participated in this experimentation. Instead of Korean control, the standard value of Korean version of the simplified nasometric assessment procedures (kSNAP) was used.ResultThe results are as follows: (1) the highest nasalance score among the Vietnamese normal vowels is the low vowel /a/; however, that of Korean normal vowels is the high vowel /i/. (2) The average nasalance score of Korean cleft palate vowels is 18% higher than that of Vietnamese cleft palate vowels. There was a nasalance score of over 45% among the vowels /e/ and /i/ in Vietnamese cleft palate patients and /i/, /o/, and /u/ in Korean cleft palate patients.ConclusionThese different nasalance scores of the same vowels seem to cause an ethnic difference between Vietnamese and Korean cleft palate children.

Validity of auditory perceptual assessment of velopharyngeal function and dysfunction – the VPC-Sum and the VPC-Rate

ABSTRACTOverall weighted or composite variables for perceptual auditory estimation of velopharyngeal closure or competence have been used in several studies for evaluation of velopharyngeal function during speech. The aim of the present study was to investigate the validity of a composite score (VPC-Sum) and of auditory perceptual ratings of velopharyngeal competence (VPC-Rate). Available VPC-Sum scores and judgments of associated variables (hypernasality, audible nasal air leakage, weak pressure consonants, and non-oral articulation) from 391 5-year olds with repaired cleft palate (the Scandcleft project) were used to investigate content validity, and 339 of these were compared with an overall judgment of velopharyngeal competence (VPC-Rate) on the same patients by the same listeners. Significant positive correlations were found between the VPC-Sum and each of the associated variables (Cronbachs alpha 0.55–0.87, P < 0.001), and a moderately significant positive correlation between VPC-Sum and VPC-Rate (Rho 0.698, P < 0.01). The latter classified cases well when VPC-Sum was dichotomized with 67% predicted velopharyngeal competence and 90% velopharyngeal incompetence. The validity of the VPC-Sum was good and the VPC-Rate a good predictor, suggesting possible use of both measures depending on the objective.

Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Craniovertebral Junction Pathologic Conditions: Myth and Truth in Clinical Series and Personal Experience.

For many years, the microsurgical transoral approach has been accepted as the gold standard for anterior decompressions of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ). The introduction of the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has gained wide recognition and overwhelming support in recent years, including for diseases of the CVJ. The aim of this study was to critically analyze and discuss all cases of CVJ diseases approached by means of an EEA so far reported in the literature, including our institutional experience consisting of 6 consecutive patients. Six consecutive patients affected by CVJ disease underwent an EEA. Three patients had a tumor (2 chordomas and 1 myeloma) and 3 had impressio basilaris. Five patients had an uncomplicated postoperative course and 1 developed an intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak and subsequent meningitis and died 5 weeks after surgery. A total of 107 patients (including our 6) affected by CVJ disease and treated with EEA have been reported so far. Among these patients, cerebrospinal fluid leak was reported in 13 (12.4%), transient velopharyngeal incompetence in 6 (5.6%), postoperative epistaxis in 2 (1.86%), and respiratory dysfunction requiring a tracheostomy in 2 (1.86%). In our extended institutional series of more than 20 consecutive anterior decompressions for CVJ diseases (including transoral and transnasal microsurgical approaches), the only fatal complication was associated with EEA. On the basis of the reviewed literature and our personal experience, the reported increased safety of the EEA needs to be reassessed and discussed.

POSTERIOR PHARYNGEAL WALL AUGMENTATION WITH MUSCULAR FLAP VERSUS MUSCULOMUCOSAL FLAP FOR CORRECTION OF VELOPHARYNGEAL INCOMPETENCE

This study was aimed to evaluate and compare the posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation using muscular flap versus musculomucosal flap for correction of velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI). Patients and methods: this study was conducted on twenty children (13 males and 7females) complaining from VPI with age ranging between 6.5 and 13 years with a mean of age 8.7 years. All patients were treated surgically using posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation. Patients were classified into two equal groups according to the type of flap technique used for posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation. Group I included10 patients (7 males and 3 females) were treated by muscular flap. Group II included10 patients (6 males and 4 females) were treated by musculomucosal flap. The preoperative and postoperative assessments for patients with VPI included clinical examination of the voice, nasopharyngoscopy and computed tomography (CT) scans. Results: Regarding clinical presentation (hypernasality and nasal regurgitation of fluid), all patients in both groups had no nasal regurgitation of fluid or food which represents 100%. As regard the overall nasalance results (Nasal sentence) measured by nasometry in both groups there was noticeable improvement. But when comparing overall nasalance results between both groups there was no significant difference .Competence and borderline closure was achieved in 65% for patients of both groups. The VP gap size reduction was achieved in both groups, however there was no significant difference regarding reduction of median VP gap size. Conclusion: At the end, as there no significant difference in the results of both groups: the myomucosal flap technique for posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation is simple and easier than the muscular flap technique and the posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation is a good technique for treatment of VPI

Application of team approach and key techniques of cleft lip and palate

The development of an expert consensus based on specific domestic situations will provide practical guidance to the efforts aiming at improving cleft care in China. The team approach of twenty-one cleft centers were pooled together, covering pre-surgical orthopedics, primary surgical repair, orthodontic treatment, alveolar bone graft, secondary deformity correction, palatal fistulae repair, the diagnosis and treatment of velopharyngeal incompetence, speech therapy, otitis media management, and skeletal deformity correction. Agreement was achieved among the authors concerning the application of critical surgical and non-surgical techniques. The ambition of this consensus is to introduce more clinicians to the revolution of sequential treatment of clefts, and form the basis for a more comprehensive cleft care manual in the future.

Palatal lift prosthesis for bolus transport in a patient with dysphagia: A clinical report

A palatal lift prosthesis (PLP) is an intraoral device that provides lift for the soft palate. The usual purpose of a PLP is to reduce nasopharyngeal reflux and the hypernasal speech caused by velopharyngeal incompetence. However, for this patient, the main purpose was to relieve a functional blockage at the oropharyngeal isthmus by suspending the soft palate. A PLP with soft and flexible lift was applied in a patient with a traumatic brain injury and dysphagia. The PLP improved oropharyngeal bolus transit time by relieving the blockage at the oropharyngeal isthmus. This type of PLP may help to improve bolus transport for patients with dysphagia.

Scandcleft randomised trials of primary surgery for unilateral cleft lip and palate: 2. Surgical results

Background: Longstanding uncertainty surrounds the selection of surgical protocols for unilateral cleft lip and palate, and randomised trials have only rarely been performed. The Scandcleft Project consists of three trials commenced in 1997 involving ten centres in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the UK. Three groups of centres tested a newly-defined common technique for palatal repair (Arm A) against their local protocols (Arms B, C, D). Arm A was familiar to most of the surgeons in Trial 1, but not to the surgeons in the other Trials.Aim: To evaluate surgical events and complications of the 448 (293 boys, 155 girls) patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) enrolled in the three trials.Method: The three trials were carried out in parallel in adherence with a fully developed, ethically approved protocol. Operative time, bleeding, complications, and major dehiscence during and after both primary surgeries were recorded by the surgeon. Rates of fistula and surgery for velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) were assessed until the youngest patient of the study had reached the age of 9 years. Pearson Chi-square statistical analysis was used to compare the outcomes.Results: No significant differences in bleeding, infection, anaesthetic complications or length of hospital stay between the different arms were found for Trial 1. However, in Trials 2 and 3 there were more airway problems in Arm A than with the traditional local protocols (Arms C or D). In Trial 3 fistula and VPI surgery rates were also higher in Arm A.Conclusions: The results do not provide statistical evidence that any technique is better than others, but indicate that surgery was more problematic for surgeons who were still gaining experience with an unfamiliar surgical protocol.Trial registration: ISRCTN29932826.

Evolution of a safe and effective management protocol for velopharyngeal incompetence: Seeking good speech without airway compromise

Objective: To document an evidence based evolution of VPI management over an 18 year period with the goal of optimizing speech while minimizing complications and need for re-operation. Design: An institutional review board approved, retrospective 18-year single surgeon, single-center series of 370 patients undergoing surgery for velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI). Methods: A review of our database between the years of 1997 and 2015 identified 370 patients who underwent surgical procedures for VPI. Records were reviewed for types of procedures performed each year. Procedures were evaluated for safety and efficacy as regards to speech outcome. The study population was divided into an earlier period (1997–2009) and a later period (2010–2015). Results: We demonstrated a reduction in the use of airway obstructive procedures such as sphincter pharyngoplasty from 25.2% of VPI surgeries in the early period to 10.4% in the late period. There has been a progressive shift toward more physiologic procedures such as re-repair with intravelar veloplasty (IVVP). The extent of IVVP has become more aggressive over the time period of the study. In our re-repair population, 89.7% of patients had improvement of the speech scores with 64.5% of all the re-repair patients achieving normal speech postoperatively. Autologous fat augmentation of the palate was introduced in the second period and represents about half of the procedures in the later period. Focused autologous fat augmentation of the palate resulted in statistically significant improvement in speech in 75.7% of cases. Conclusion: This study demonstrates an evidence-based evolution in management, shifting away from potentially airway obstructive procedures and toward a more physiologic approach to velopharyngeal competence. We outline the steps taken to reach the author's current approach to VPI management based on periodic outcome audits, specific anatomic findings, and goal-directed surgical interventions. With correct diagnosis and patient selection, VPI can be safely eliminated in over 70% of patients with a single procedure. We believe that this anatomic and physiologic approach improves safety while minimizing risks of airway obstruction.

Musculomucosal Flap: A Technique for Correction of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency by Palate Lengthening

ABSTRACTA small but significant percentage of patients have inadequate velopharyngeal closure, or secondary velopharyngeal incompetence, following primary palatoplasty. The use of the buccinator musculomucosal (MM) flap has been described for both primary palate repair with lengthening and secondary palate lengthening for the correction of insufficient velopharyngeal closure. The MM flap was first described in 1969 for the primary repair of a wide cleft palate by Mukherji, and it was Bozola et al in 1989 who first formally described it and gave first description of its anatomy. The first report on its use to lengthen the palate in secondary velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) was published by Hill et al in 1999. This case report presents a patient who had correction of secondary velopharyngeal incompetence using bilateral buccinator MM flaps used as a sandwich and also gives a brief review of the literature regarding its application in cases of secondary VPI.How to cite this articleDeshmukh MM, Deshpande G. Musculomucosal Flap: A Technique for Correction of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency by Palate Lengthening. J Contemp Dent 2017;7(3):174-177.

Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Velopharyngeal Incompetence

ABSTRACT Velopharyngeal (VP) dysfunction takes place when palatopharyngeal valve is unable to perform its own closing due to a lack of tissue or lack of proper movement. Insufficiency induces nasal regurgitation of liquids, hypernasal speech, nasal escape, disarticulations, and impaired speech intelligibility. Treatment options include surgical correction, prosthetic rehabilitation, and speech therapy, though optimal results often require a multidisciplinary approach. This case report describes a novel approach for rehabilitation of a patient with soft palate defect (VP incompetence). How to cite this article Agarwal P, Dhawan P, Madhukar P, Tandan P. Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Velopharyngeal Incompetence. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2017;7(2):71-76.

Hearing sensitivity in adults with a unilateral cleft lip and palate after two-stage palatoplasty

ObjectiveTo evaluate long-term hearing and middle ear status in patients treated for a unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) by two-stage palatoplasty. MethodsForty-nine UCLP patients aged 17 years and older were included in this retrospective study. Patients were invited for a multidisciplinary long-term follow-up of their treatment at a tertiary center for craniofacial surgery in the Netherlands. ENT assessment included tympanometry and pure-tone audiometry. Medical files were searched for medical and surgical history. ResultsIn total, 19.4% of the patients had significant long-term hearing loss (PTA > 20 dB), comprising conductive hearing loss in 21.5% of the patients. In the majority (70%), this hearing loss was more pronounced at higher frequencies. In 25% the high fletcher index showed hearing thresholds above 20 dB. Ventilation tubes were placed at least once in 78.7% of the patients. The frequency of tube insertion was positively correlated with the incidence of reduced tympanic compliance (tympanogram type B) and the need for a pharyngoplasty. ConclusionThe present study reports long-term hearing outcomes in UCLP patients with hard palate closure at 3 years of age. Persistent hearing loss was observed in 19.4% of our patients (PTA > 20 dB), mainly at the higher frequencies. Ventilation tube placement was associated with reduced tympanic compliance and higher risk on hearing loss (PTA air conduction). Our high incidence of velopharyngeal incompetence during early childhood, which is likely associated with Eustachian tube dysfunction, might have contributed to these results.