Changes in speech following unilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in patients with hemifacial microsomia.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe changes in articulation, resonance, and velopharyngeal function following mandibular distraction osteogenesis. DESIGN: This is a descriptive, post hoc study comparing the performance of patients on measures of articulation, resonance, and velopharyngeal function before and after mandibular distraction. SETTING: The data were collected at a tertiary health care center located in Chicago. PATIENTS The clinical data from preoperative and postoperative evaluations of seven mandibular distraction patients were used. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome measures were number of articulation errors, severity of hypernasality and audible nasal emission, and velopharyngeal orifice size as estimated using the pressure-flow technique. RESULTS: Immediately after distraction, 28% (2/7) experienced a temporary deterioration in articulation and 42% (3/7) experienced a deterioration in nasal resonance. But by the long-term follow-up evaluation, all had returned to their preoperative levels. Pressure-flow test results generally support the perceptual findings. CONCLUSIONS: Patients being considered for mandibular distraction surgery should receive preoperative and postoperative speech evaluations and be counseled about risks for changes in their speech following surgery.