Individualized management of velopharyngeal insufficiency for cleft lip and palate / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a common postoperative sequela secondary tocleft palate. It could significantly impairpatients′living quality. Treatment of VPI includes surgery and speech therapy, but the reported success rates are inconsistent. A consensus in the literatures is needed, to guide procedure selection for patients with VPI.@*Methods@#This is a retrospective study on management options for patients with VPI.This study systematically introduces the assessment, management plan and treatment effect of VPI, in the Craniofacial center of Hospital Stomatology of Xi′an Jiaotong University.The challenges of VPI diagnosis and treatment with cleft palate are discussed in-depth.@*Results@#Most patients with VPI underwent evaluation and treatment (surgical or/and speech therapy) had speech improvement. The average value of hypernasality decreased from 3.67 before interventions to 1.57 after interventions.A multidisciplinary team using multi-modal to evaluate velopharyngeal function and speech. All patients had no bleeding, would dehiscence or fistula postoperatively. The difficulty of stimulability test was significantly reduced. Fourteen patients completed speech therapy, with the averaged treatments period of 3 months.@*Conclusions@#Speech pathologist is the manager of speech rehabilitation of cleft palate patients with VPI. The operation skill plays a key role in the treatment of VPI. Detailed diagnostic information is important for performing excellent surgical techniques. The cooperation of surgeon and speech pathologist, could be helpful to achieve the final speech rehabilitation.