Superiorly Based Posterior Pharyngeal Flaps: Using A Care Pathway to Optimize Speech and Airway Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Pharyngeal flap (PF) surgery is effective at improving velopharyngeal sufficiency, but historical literature shows a concerning prevalence rate of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), reported as high as 20%. Our institution has developed a protocol to minimize risk of postoperative obstructive complications and increase safety of PF surgery. We hypothesize that (1) preoperative staged removal of significant adenotonsillar tissue along with (2) multiview videofluoroscopy to guide patient-specific surgical approach via appropriately sized PFs can result in excellent speech outcomes while limiting occurrence of OSA. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of all patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) (aged 2-20 years) seen at the University of Rochester from 2015 to 2022 undergoing PF surgery to correct VPI. Nasopharyngoscopy was used for surgical planning and airway evaluation. Patients with tonsillar and adenoid hypertrophy underwent staged adenotonsillectomy at least 2 months before PF. Multiview videofluoroscopy was used to identify anatomic causes of VPI and to determine PF width. Patients underwent polysomnography and speech evaluation before and at least 6 months after PF surgery. RESULTS: Forty-one children aged 8.5 ± 4.1 years (range, 4 to 18 years) who underwent posterior PF surgery for VPI were identified. This included 10 patients with 22q11.2 deletion and 4 patients with Pierre Robin sequence. Thirty-nine patients had both pre- and postoperative speech data and underwent both a pre- and postoperative sleep study. Polysomnography showed no significant difference in obstructive apnea-hypopnea index after posterior PF surgery (obstructive apnea-hypopnea index preop, 1.3 ± 1.2 events per hour; postop, 1.7 ± 2.1 events per hour; P = 0.111). Significant improvements in speech outcome were seen in patients who underwent PF (modified Pittsburgh score preop, 11.52 ± 1.37; postop, 1.09 ± 2.35; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Use of preoperative staged adenotonsillectomy as well as patient-specific PF dimensions results in effective resolution of VPI and a low risk of OSA.

Outcomes of primary repair of cleft palate using sommerled intravelar veloplasty associated with velocardiofacial syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Velocardiofacial syndrome, a prevalent microdeletion syndrome occurring in 1 in 2000-4000 live births, is marked by speech and language disorders, notably velopharyngeal dysfunction. This study investigates speech outcomes, nasometric and videofluoroscopic results before and after primary repair of cleft palate using the Sommerlad intravelar veloplasty (SIVV) technique within the Isfahan cleft care team for patients with velocardiofacial syndrome. METHODS: Employing a quasi-experimental design, 19 participants with velocardiofacial syndrome, who underwent primary cleft palate repair by the Isfahan cleft care team, were included through convenience sampling. Perceptual and instrumental outcomes were assessed pre-and post-operatively. Statistical analysis encompassed paired t-tests and the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The study identified no statistically significant differences between pre-and post-surgical speech outcome parameters and nasalance scores. Nonetheless, a significant distinction emerged in the velopharyngeal closure ratio based on fluoroscopic evaluation (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The efficacy of the SIVV technique in treating velopharyngeal dysfunction in velocardiofacial syndrome patients is inconclusive, demanding further research. Post-surgical speech outcomes are influenced by surgical technique, hypotonia, apraxia of speech, and surgery timing. Notably, an elevated velopharyngeal valve closure ratio, though anatomically indicative, does not exclusively predict surgical success.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis on stress distribution after different palatoplasty and levator veli palatini muscle reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a three-dimensional finite element model of the upper palate, pharyngeal cavity, and levator veli palatini muscle in patients with unilateral complete cleft palate, simulate two surgical procedures that the two-flap method and Furlow reverse double Z method, observe the stress distribution of the upper palate soft tissue and changes in pharyngeal cavity area after different surgical methods, and verify the accuracy of the model by reconstructing and measuring the levator veli palatini muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mimics, Geomagic, Ansys, and Hypermesh were applied to establish three-dimensional finite element models of the pharyngeal cavity, upper palate, and levator veli palatini muscle in patients with unilateral complete cleft palate. The parameters including length, angle, and cross-sectional area of the levator veli palatini muscle etc. were measured in Mimics, and two surgical procedures that two-flap method and Furlow reverse double Z method were simulated in Ansys, and the area of pharyngeal cavity was measured by hypermesh. RESULTS: A three-dimensional finite element model of the upper palate, pharyngeal cavity, and bilateral levator veli palatini muscle was established in patients with unilateral complete cleft palate ; The concept of horizontal projection characteristics of the palatal dome was applied to the finite element simulation of cleft palate surgery, vividly simulating the displacement and elastic stretching of the two flap method and Furlow reverse double Z method during the surgical process; The areas with the highest stress in the two-flap method and Furlow reverse double Z method both occur in the hard soft palate junction area; In resting state, as measured, the two flap method can narrow the pharyngeal cavity area by 50.9%, while the Furlow reverse double Z method can narrow the pharyngeal cavity area by 65.4%; The measurement results of the levator veli palatini muscle showed no significant difference compared to previous studies, confirming the accuracy of the model. CONCLUSIONS: The finite element method was used to establish a model to simulate the surgical procedure, which is effective and reliable. The area with the highest postoperative stress for both methods is the hard soft palate junction area, and the stress of the Furlow reverse double Z method is lower than that of the two-flap method. The anatomical conditions of pharyngeal cavity of Furlow reverse double Z method are better than that of two-flap method in the resting state. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This article uses three-dimensional finite element method to simulate the commonly used two-flap method and Furlow reverse double Z method in clinical cleft palate surgery, and analyzes the stress distribution characteristics and changes in pharyngeal cavity area of the two surgical methods, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the surgeon to choose the surgical method and reduce the occurrence of complications.

Voz hipernasal y regurgitación nasal aguda: reporte de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Hypernasal speech and acute nasal regurgitation: a case report and a review of the literature

RESUMEN La voz hipernasal y la regurgitación nasal son síntomas de disfunción velofaríngea. Ésta puede tener múltiples causas: anatómicas, neurológicas o funcionales. Se describe el caso de una paciente de sexo femenino, de 13 años, que se presenta con voz hipernasal y regurgitación nasal aguda. Al examen físico se evidencia inmovilidad del velo del paladar derecho sin otros hallazgos neurológicos. El estudio con resonancia nuclear magnética de cerebro y punción lumbar fueron normales. Se diagnosticó una incompetencia velofaríngea aguda transitoria, de probable etiología viral. La paciente evolucionó de forma favorable con mejoría clínica progresiva. La incompetencia velofaríngea a causa de una paresia o parálisis del nervio vago y/o nervio glosofaríngeo es una causa poco frecuente de disfunción velofaríngea.

ABSTRACT Hypernasal speech and nasal regurgitation are symptoms of velopharyngeal dysfunction. This may have multiple causes, including velopharyngeal incompetence due to paresis or paralysis of the vagus nerve and/or glossopharyngeal nerve. We describe the case of a 13 year-old female patient, with hypernasal speech and acute nasal regurgitation, with a physical examination showing immobility of the right palate with no other neurological findings. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and lumbar puncture was normal. Transient acute velopharyngeal incompetence was diagnosed, probably of viral etiology. The patient evolved favorably with progressive clinical improvement. Velopharyngeal incompetence due to paresis or paralysis of the vagus and/or glossopharyngeal nerves is a rare cause of velopharyngeal dysfunction.

Correção de fissura palatina com retalho músculo mucoso de bucinador: resultados de 6 casos após 27 anos / Correction of palatine fistulas with a musculo-mucosal buccinator flap: results of 6 cases after 27 years

Introdução: O retalho miomucoso de músculo bucinador, descrito em 1989, pode ser utilizado para corrigir fístulas palatinas, fissuras com alongamento do palato mole ou cobrir áreas cruentas após ressecções de tumores. Métodos: Trata-se da análise do resultado após 27 anos de 6 casos de pacientes operados no Hospital de Base e na Santa Casa de São José do Rio Preto, no período de 1984 a 1989, e reavaliados em 2016, nos quais foram realizados retalhos miomucosos de bucinador para correção de fissura palatina. Resultados: Dos 36 casos operados, 6 foram reavaliados após 27 anos, dos quais 5 trataram-se de correção primária e 1 de correção secundária (fístula após fechamento de fissura palatina). Todos os casos obtiveram resultados satisfatórios no crescimento maxilar, na correção da fistula palatina e na função da fala. Conclusão: Apesar de estatisticamente não significativo, o presente estudo demonstrou que o retalho miomucoso de músculo bucinador para correção e alongamento do palato é um procedimento adequado, com resultados de crescimento maxilar normal ou próximo disso e fala praticamente normal, mesmo sem adequado tratamento fonoaudiológico.

Introduction: The buccal musculo-mucosal patch, described in 1989, can be used to correct palatine fistulas and fissures with stretching of the soft palate, or to cover bloody areas after tumor resection. Methods: This is an analysis of the 27-year postoperative results for 6 patients who underwent operation at Base Hospital and Santa Casa de São José do Rio Preto between 1984 and 1989, and reassessed in 2016, when a myo-buccinator mucosa was used for cleft palate correction. Results: Of the 36 operated cases, 6 were reevaluated after 27 years, of which 5 had primary correction and 1 had a secondary correction (fistula after cleft palate closure). All the cases had satisfactory results in terms of maxillary growth, correction of the palatine fistula, and speech function. Conclusion: Although not statistically significant, the present study demonstrated that the buccal musculo-mucosal flap is an adequate procedure for correction and stretching of the palate, with normal or near-normal maxillary growth and practically normal speech even without adequate phono-audiological treatment.

Distúrbios do fechamento velofaríngeo e alteraçöes laríngeas / Disorders of the velopharyngeal and laryngeal dysfunction

This article shows evidences that laryngeal and respiratory compensations due to poor velopharyngeal closure can develop vocal symptoms

Avaliaçäo aerodinâmica da funçäo laríngea em indivíduos com fissura de palato operada / Aerodynamic evaluation of laryngeal function in operated cleft palate subjects

O presente estudo foi desenvolvido com a finalidade de identificar anormalidades da funçäo larígea em portadores de fissura de palato reparada com inadequaçäo velofaríngea. Foram determinados, por meio de um espirômetro, o fluxo médio fonatório (FMF) na produçäo mantida da vogal /a/ e o quociente fonatório (QF) na manobra da capacidade vital em 20 adultos fissurados e em um grupo controle de 20 adultos sem anormalidades vocais e laríngeas. Os valores de FMF e QF obtidos nos dois grupos näo diferiram estatisticamente entre si, mostrando que nos pacientes fissurados estudados, a inadequaçäo velofaríngea näo estava associada a disfunçöes laríngeas que pudessem ser identificadas pela metodologia utilizada