Rate Of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Research Articles

Evaluation of late cleft palate repair by a modified technique without relaxing incisions

ObjectiveTo evaluate the postoperative outcomes together with analyzing the associated influencing factors following a late cleft palate repair by the Sommerlad-Furlow modified technique (S-F). Materials and methodsIn a retrospective cohort, 320 consecutive patients with cleft palate, who received S-F technique between 2011 and 2017, were reviewed. The patients were divided into three age groups, less than one year (143), one to two years (113), and greater than 2 years (64). The postoperative outcomes included wound healing (complete/fistula) and velopharyngeal function (VPF). ResultsThe overall cleft width was 10 ± 3.07 mm. The overall rates of complete wound healing and proper velopharyngeal function were 96.6% and 81.56%, respectively. No significant difference was found between the age groups regarding wound healing, with an overall fistula rate of 3.4%. The VPF was significantly varied among the age groups (P<0.001). In context, the rates of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) were 9.8%, 14.2%, and 45.4% among patients repaired at ˂1, 1–2, and >2 years old, respectively. The cleft type was the most potential factor associated with fistula. The age at repair was identified as the most implicating factor for VPI. ConclusionsThe S-F technique had achieved low fistula rate and satisfactory speech outcome, especially in early repair group and even in the wide cleft palate. The older age at repair and severe cleft type had a major impact on the postoperative outcomes.

Velopharyngeal Insufficiency in Craniofacial Microsomia: Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Treatment

BACKGROUND: Craniofacial microsomia (CFM) is characterized by malformations of facial structures that are derived from the first and second brachial arches. Although hearing, occlusion, and facial paralysis are the most typical functional considerations for CFM, abnormalities in speech, including velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), have also been sparingly reported in several studies. As a result, the purpose of this multicenter study was to analyze the prevalence and management of VPI in patients with CFM. Furthermore, this study sought to investigate the effects of concomitant cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) on VPI in CFM patients. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients from the University of California, Los Angeles Craniofacial Clinic and the Orthopaedic Institute for Children in Los Angeles was conducted. Inclusion criteria included patients who were diagnosed with CFM, first and second brachial arch syndrome, oculo-auriculo-vertebral sequence, facio-auriculo-vertebral syndrome, or Goldenhar syndrome. Patients with isolated microtia were excluded from this study. Included CFM patients were stratified based on the presence or absence of CL/P, and all patients were evaluated for VPI, methods of diagnosis, speech therapy, and surgery. All patients received at least 1 thorough evaluation by a speech pathologist and were diagnosed clinically with VPI if they were noted to have any hypernasal speech, nasal air emission, or nasal turbulence. Chi-square tests and Levene’s test (P ≤ 0.05) were used for analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 78 patients with CFM (48 males, 61.5%) were assessed for VPI, aged 4–34 years old at time of review. In the entire cohort, 22 (28.2%) patients were found to be diagnosed with VPI. Of the 78 patients, 8 (10.3%) patients had concomitant CL/P. Of the 70 CFM patients without CL/P, 14 (20.0%) had VPI. Eight (57.1%) of these patients were recommended for nasoendoscopy, whereas none of these patients required any corrective VPI surgery. Comparatively, all 8 CFM with CL/P patients were diagnosed with VPI and recommended for nasoendoscopy, significantly higher rates than those without CL/P. Furthermore, 6 (75.0%) of these patients eventually underwent VPI surgery, significantly more than those without CL/P. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes an overall rate of VPI in CFM at 28.2%, with the largest cohort of CFM looking into VPI in the literature. All of the CFM patients with CL/P had VPI, with a majority requiring surgery, compared with only a fifth of CFM patients without CL/P having VPI and none needing surgery. Findings from this study highlight VPI as a common problem in CFM patients who should be diagnosed and managed early on. In addition, this study displays CL/P as a risk and severity factor for VPI.

Incidence of Fistula Formation and Velopharyngeal Insufficiency in Early Versus Standard Cleft Palate Repair.

The goals of cleft palate repair are well-established; however, there does exist difference in practice patterns regarding the most appropriate patient age for palatoplasty. The optimal timing is debated and influenced by cleft type, surgical technique, and the surgeon's training. The objective of this study was to compare the rates of post-operative fistula formation and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in "early" versus "standard" cleft palate repair in a cohort of patients treated at a single craniofacial center.A retrospective chart review identified 525 patients treated for cleft palate from 2000 to 2017 with 216 meeting inclusion criteria. "Early repair" is defined as palatoplasty before 6-months of age (108 patients). "Standard repair" is palatoplasty at or beyond 6-months old (108 patients). Rates of fistula formation were found to be significantly higher in early repairs (Chi-square statistic 9.0536, P value = 0.0026). Development of VPI was not significantly different between the 2 groups (Chi-square statistic 1.2068, P value = 0.27196). As expected, the incidence of post-palatoplasty VPI was significantly higher in patients who had a post-operative fistula when compared to those who healed without fistula formation (Chi-square statistic 4.3627, P value = 0.0367).There is significant debate regarding the optimal timing of cleft repair to maximize speech outcomes and minimize risks. The authors' data show that post-operative fistula formation occurs at a higher rate when performed prior to 6 months old. Furthermore, while the rate of VPI was not significantly affected by age at time of surgery, it was significantly higher in those who experienced a post-operative fistula.

Low incidence of maxillary hypoplasia in isolated cleft palate

BackgroundThe cause of maxillary growth restriction in patients with cleft lip and palate remains controversial. While studies have investigated the effects surgical technique and timing have on maxillary growth, few focus on patients with isolated cleft palate (ICP). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact palate repair and its associated complications may have on maxillary growth.MethodsA retrospective chart review of ICP patients who underwent palatoplasty from 1962 to 1999 at Akron Children’s Hospital was performed. Patient demographics, Veau type, age at primary repair, closure technique, presence of fistula or velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), number of palatal operations, maxillary hypoplasia (MH) frequency, and follow-up were recorded. Exclusion criteria included patients with cleft lip, submucous cleft, or syndromes.ResultsTwenty-nine non-syndromic ICP patients were identified; 62% (n = 18) had Veau type 1 and 38% (n = 11) had Veau type 2. All patients underwent 2-flap or Furlow palatoplasty with mobilization of mucoperiosteal flaps. Vomerine flaps were used in all Veau 2 cleft palate closures. Palatoplasty was performed at a mean age of 19.9 ± 8.2 months. Average follow-up was 209 ± 66.5 months. The rate of VPI was 59% (n = 17) and the rate of oronasal fistula was 14% (n = 4).ConclusionsThere was a low incidence of MH despite complications after initial palate closure. Our results seem to suggest that age at palate closure, type of cleft palate, and type of surgical technique may not be associated with MH. Additionally, subsequent procedures and complications after primary palatoplasty such as VPI and palatal fistula may not restrict maxillary growth.

Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Rates After Delayed Cleft Palate Repair: Lessons Learned From Internationally Adopted Patients.

Most surgeons recommend cleft palate repair between 6 and 12 months of age. Internationally adopted patients often undergo delayed repair due to social circumstances. There are few outcomes studies on this population. We conducted a 13-year retrospective review of all patients undergoing primary cleft palate repair at a single tertiary-care academic medical center between 1993 and 2006. The primary outcome was velopharyngeal insufficiency, defined as the recommendation for corrective surgery after multiple formal speech assessments. Two hundred one patients (102 males and 99 females) were identified. One hundred eighty-three repairs were performed before 18 months of age (standard repair group). Eighteen repairs were performed after 18 months of age (delayed repair group), with international adoption being a circumstance in 16 cases. The delayed and standard repair groups were similar with regard to sex, presence of craniofacial syndrome, Veau class, cleft size and laterality, type of repair, and operating surgeon. Mean follow-up was 9.3 years, with minimum follow-up of 5.0 years. Six (33%) of 18 patients in the delayed repair group developed velopharyngeal insufficiency compared to 23 (13%) of 183 in the standard repair group (P = 0.03 by Fisher exact test). These data demonstrate that internationally adopted patients undergoing delayed palate repair suffer especially poor speech outcomes. Physiologic differences in patients undergoing late repair, as well as social factors including adaptation to a new language and culture, may be factors. Early repair should be performed when possible.

Genetics of Cleft Palate and Velopharyngeal Insufficiency.

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) can occur in the setting of an unrepaired or repaired cleft lip and palate. The rate of VPI has been documented as high as 33% in some studies with higher rates of recurrences following surgery associated with genetic syndromes such as 22q11.2 deletions. The primary cause of VPI in these groups is still identified as the anatomic abnormalities of the velum. In this review, the anatomy and physiology of the velum are discussed along with genetic mutations associated with VPI.

Clinical Outcomes of Primary Palatal Surgery in Children with Nonsyndromic Cleft Palate with and without Lip.

This study presents clinical outcomes of primary cleft palate surgery, including rate of oronasal fistula development, rate of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) requiring secondary surgery, and speech outcomes. We examined the effect of cleft type on the clinical outcomes. Retrospective analysis was performed using clinical records of all patients who received a primary palatoplasty at the Cleft Palate Clinic at Seoul Asan Medical Center, South Korea, between 2007 and 2012. The study included 292 patients with nonsyndromic overt cleft palate (±cleft lip). The results revealed that the rate of oronasal fistula was 7.9% and the incidence of VPI based on the rate of secondary palatal surgery was 19.2%. The results showed that 50.3% of all the patients had received speech therapy and 28.8% and 51.4% demonstrated significant hypernasality and articulatory deficits, respectively. The results of the rate of VPI and speech outcomes were significantly different in terms of cleft type. Except for the rate of oronasal fistula, patients with cleft palate generally exhibited better clinical outcomes compared to those with bilateral or unilateral cleft lip and palate. This study suggests that several factors, including cleft type, should be identified and comprehensively considered to establish an optimal treatment regimen for patients with cleft palate.

Evolution in minimal-incision palatoplasty: surgical technique and outcomes in 67 consecutive cases.

Conventional palatoplasty relies on extensive mucosal incisions and isolation of flaps on the palatine vessels to facilitate midline closure and velar reconstruction. This introduces substantial scarring, which has adverse effects on vascularity and growth. The authors have developed a minimally invasive palatoplasty technique that may have advantages over traditional techniques. The authors present their operative experience and outcomes when using the minimally invasive method paired with a novel cranial base maneuver for nasal mucosa closure. Based on cadaveric dissections, the authors developed a modified minimal-incision approach that permits anatomical reconstruction from a midline approach. From 2003 to 2010, a retrospective review was performed on 67 consecutive minimal-incision palatoplasties. Cases requiring relaxing incision and/or conversion to other palatoplasty techniques were compared with minimal incision alone. Minimally invasive palatoplasty alone was able to be performed in 78 percent (n=52) of all cases. Fistula rates were 7.6 percent (n=4) in the minimally invasive palatoplasty group and 20 percent (n=3) in the relaxing/conversion group (p=0.04). Of patients requiring relaxing incisions/conversion, a higher percentage were syndromic (73 percent; p=0.01). Eighty-nine percent of all Veau class I defects were able to be successfully closed with the minimally invasive palatoplasty approach (p=0.01). Minimal-incision palatoplasty paired with a cranial base maneuver for nasal mucosa elevation results in adequate soft-tissue mobility and length to arrive at a tension-free closure. Fistula and velopharyngeal insufficiency rates are comparable to that of other techniques, and theoretical advantages of this technique will be borne out by longer term follow-up. Therapeutic, III.

Speech Outcome after Palatal Repair in Nonsyndromic versus Syndromic Robin Sequence

The authors' purpose was to document speech outcome after cleft palate repair in patients with syndromic versus nonsyndromic Robin sequence. Results of secondary correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency using a superiorly based pharyngeal flap or double-opposing Z-palatoplasty are also reported. Charts of patients with Robin sequence and cleft palate between 1980 and 2007 were reviewed. Data collected included date of birth, sex, syndrome/association, cleft palatal type (Veau I or II), age at palatoplasty, incidence of palatal fistula, postoperative speech assessment, videofluoroscopic results, need for secondary operation for velopharyngeal insufficiency, and type of secondary operation (pharyngeal flap or double-opposing Z-palatoplasty). The authors identified 140 patients with Robin sequence who had palatal closure. Postoperative speech evaluation was available for 96 patients (69 percent). A syndrome or association was identified in 42 patients (30 percent). Primary palatoplasty was successful in 74 patients (77 percent); speech was characterized as competent and competent to borderline competent. The authors found a significantly higher incidence of velopharyngeal insufficiency following palatal repair for syndromic (38 percent) than nonsyndromic Robin sequence (16 percent). (p = 0.039). In patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency, competent or borderline competent speech was determined after double-opposing Z-palatoplasty (two of five patients) or pharyngeal flap (eight of 10 patients). The rate of velopharyngeal insufficiency in syndromic Robin sequence is significantly greater than in nonsyndromic Robin sequence. The authors prefer pharyngeal flap for velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with Robin sequence, whether syndromic or nonsyndromic, without retrognathism or signs/symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.

Highlights of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery

Archives of Facial Plastic SurgeryVol. 14, No. 5 Free AccessHighlights of Archives of Facial Plastic SurgeryPublished Online:3 Sep 2012AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Split Hump Technique for Reduction of the Overprojected Nasal DorsumPeter J. F. M. Lohuis, MD, PhD, and colleagues describe their results using the split hump technique (SHT) in aesthetic rhinoplasty while emphasizing the additional advantage of this approach. The SHT allows for a more controlled reduction of the nasal dorsum with preservation of the entire upper lateral cartilage (ULC) during deprojection. This, in turn, enables more precise resection of the ULCs and less destabilizing of the key area. Ninety-seven patients who underwent rhinoplasty for aesthetic reasons using the SHT were evaluated for aesthetic contentment and functional satisfaction recorded by a questionnaire. Results demonstrate a significant subjective increase in both aesthetic and functional outcomes. The authors strongly recommend the use of the SHT to rhinoplasty surgeons.See page 346Reconstruction of Nasal Alar Defects in Asian PatientsDoo Hee Han, MD, PhD, and colleagues present a retrospective review regarding functional and aesthetic outcomes of methods used for nasal alar reconstruction in Asian patients while stating the criteria for selection of these methods. Although outcomes and criteria have been studied in Western populations, this is the first study in Asian people. The study consists of 17 patients, of whom 2 are described as representative cases. Objective and subjective aesthetic outcomes are evaluated along with subjective functional findings. Results show that the size and depth of the defect primarily affects the choice of reconstruction in Asian patients. The authors propose a working algorithm for reconstruction of nasal alar defects with respect to these 2 components.See page 312Impact of Cleft Width in Clefts of Secondary Palate on the Risk of Velopharyngeal InsufficiencyDerek J. Lam, MD, MPH, and colleagues question the relationship between cleft width and other risk factors with occurrence of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). A total of 61 patients with isolated cleft palates (Veau type 2) are retrospectively surveyed for the presence of VPI, and the correlation with various parameters, including width and length of cleft, type of surgery, and age at which the operation was performed, are analyzed. Results show a significantly higher overall rate of VPI in subjects with a cleft width greater than 10 mm. The authors conclude that cleft width should be considered as a prognostic indicator of postoperative VPI, regardless of the Veau type.See page 360Role of Virtual Surgery in Preoperative Planning: Assessing the Individual Components of Functional Nasal Airway SurgeryJohn S. Rhee, MD, MPH, and colleagues demonstrate the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-aided virtual surgery planning in evaluating the effects of individual components of functional nasal airway surgery. They accomplish this by evaluating nasal airway resistance and airflow allocation in preoperative and postoperative 3-dimensional digital nasal models created from computed tomographic images. Results prove that septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction have the highest impact on reduction of nasal resistance, but the authors also state that contribution from nasal valve repair surgery is significant. They conclude with the proposition that CFD-aided surgery may be used for preoperative planning for a more successful outcome in patients with multifactorial anatomic nasal airway obstruction.See page 354Portrait of a Man Holding a Book, by Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) (about 1488 to 1576).See page 376This issue's Highlights were written by Ismet Emrah Emre, MD.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 14Issue 5Sep 2012 InformationCopyright 2012 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Restrictions Apply to Government Use.To cite this article:Highlights of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.Sep 2012.311-311.http://doi.org/10.1001/archfaci.2012.1014Published in Volume: 14 Issue 5: September 3, 2012PDF download

Oro-nasal fistula development and velopharyngeal insufficiency following primary cleft palate surgery—an audit of 148 children born between 1985 and 1997

We present an audit of primary cleft palate surgery in our unit including rates of two important post-operative complications. Multidisciplinary audit clinics ran from March 1998 to April 2002 to follow up all local patients with a cleft lip or palate who had undergone primary palatal surgery in our unit. One hundred and forty eight patients were studied. Patient ages at follow-up ranged from 3 years and 10 months to 17 years and 4 months. Two surgeons performed the primary surgery. One hundred and twenty eight Wardill-Kilner and 20 Von Langenbeck repairs were performed. We found a 4.7% rate of oro-nasal fistula development requiring surgical closure, and a 26.4% rate of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) requiring subsequent pharyngoplasty. We noted that the type of cleft involved affected the rate of VPI, 16% of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate versus 29.2% of patients with a solitary cleft palate requiring secondary surgery. Outcome of surgery was determined by a 'Cleft Audit Protocol for Speech' (CAPS) speech therapy assessment at follow-up clinics. Only 14.9% of all patients assessed demonstrated any degree of hypernasality. Our results compare favourably with other recent studies including the Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG) report into treatment of children with cleft lip and palate.

Uvular Transposition: A New Method of Cleft Palate Repair

This prospective study was done to determine whether a new cleft palate repair utilizing uvular transposition improved speech outcome as measured objectively by a speech pathologist. In the uvular transposition procedure, the palate was lengthened with tissue from the uvula by a double-opposing Z-plasty; an intravelar veloplasty was performed, and two-thirds of the mass of the uvula was transposed to the nasal surface of the soft palate. This procedure facilitates velopharyngeal closure by significantly lengthening the palate, anatomically reconstructing the muscles of the palate, and decreasing the palatal excursion necessary to achieve closure. Sixty-two children with a cleft palate were treated with this procedure performed by the senior surgeon between the years of 1988 and 1995. These children were then enrolled in cleft lip and palate clinic at age 2 to 3 years and blindly evaluated yearly by a single speech pathologist who specialized in pediatric speech pathology. Postoperative clinical follow-up ranged from 36 to 112 months (mean, 56.8 months). Perceptual nasal emission was found to be normal in 59 of the 62 patients (95 percent). Nasometry was performed in all 62 of these patients, and the mean score was 15.7 percent, well within the accepted normal range of 25 or less at our institution. Only two of these children (3 percent) required a pharyngeal flap for velopharyngeal insufficiency. These findings suggest that the uvula transposition cleft palate repair may result in good normalization of speech with negligible rates of velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Speech Outcome and Maxillary Growth in Patients with Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip/Palate Operated on at 6 versus 12 Months of Age

A prospective study of speech outcome and maxillofacial growth was carried out in cleft palate patients. Seventysix cleft palate patients were randomly selected for the study group; 41 patients were operated on at 12 months of age, and 35 patients were operated on at 6 months of age. All patients were followed until they were 4 years of age. All patients underwent a complete speech evaluation, videonasopharyngoscopy, videofluoroscopy, and maxillofacial assessment. The rate of velopharyngeal insufficiency did not differ between the two groups (17 to 19 percent; p > 0.05). However, phonologic development was significantly better (p < 0.05) in the patients operated on at 6 months of age. Furthermore, none of the patients operated on at 6 months of age showed compensatory articulation disorder. In contrast, 62 percent of the patients with postoperative velopharyngeal insufficiency operated on at 12 months of age showed compensatory articulation disorder (p < 0.05). Maxillofacial assessment showed that there were nonsignificant differences (p > 0.05) in maxillofacial growth in both groups of patients. All patients showed similar degrees of maxillary collapse (p > 0.05). The results of this study suggest that cleft palate repair performed at 6 months of age significantly enhances speech outcome and prevents compensatory articulation disorder. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 102: 675, 1998.)