Pharyngeal flap surgery in adults

Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 1991 Apr;28(2):179-82; discussion 182-3. doi: 10.1597/1545-1569_1991_028_0179_pfsia_2.3.co_2.

Abstract

The elimination of hypernasal speech in patients with cleft palate following pharyngeal flap surgery in childhood is well established. However, pharyngeal flaps in adults have been considered to yield more modest results. This study reports on 20 adult patients with cleft palate-related hypernasality who underwent pharyngeal flap surgery. Normal nasal resonance was achieved in 15 cases, hyponasality occurred in 3 cases, and hypernasality persisted in 2 cases. However, speech intelligibility was not always dramatically improved. Indications and outcome were found to be highly dependent on preoperative articulation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cleft Palate / complications*
  • Cleft Palate / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement
  • Palate, Soft / physiopathology
  • Pharynx / physiopathology
  • Pharynx / surgery*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Speech / physiology
  • Speech Disorders / etiology
  • Speech Disorders / physiopathology
  • Speech Disorders / surgery*
  • Speech Intelligibility
  • Surgical Flaps* / methods
  • Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / etiology
  • Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / physiopathology
  • Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / surgery