Surgical outcomes and revision rates for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in syndromic and non-syndromic children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate pre- and post-operative resonance, surgical technique, revision rate, and revision indication among syndromic and non-syndromic children with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted through July 2022. Children surgically treated for VPI were included. A meta-analysis of single means, proportions, comparison of proportions, and mean differences with 95 % confidence interval [CI] was conducted. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles (n = 1437) were included in the analysis. The most common surgery was Sphincter Pharyngoplasty (SP), 62.6 % [31.3-88.9] for syndromic and 76.3 % [37.5-98.9] for non-syndromic children. Among all surgical techniques, for syndromic and non-syndromic children, 54.8 % [30.9-77.5] and 73.9 % [61.3-84.6] obtained normal resonance post-operatively, respectively. Syndromic patients obtained normal resonance post-operatively in 83.3 % [57.7-96.6] of Combined Furlow Palatoplasty and Sphincter Pharyngoplasty (CPSP), 72.6 % [54.5-87.5] of Pharyngeal Flap (PF), and 45.1 % [13.2-79.8] of Sphincter Pharyngoplasty (SP) surgeries. Non-syndromic patients obtained normal resonance post-operatively in 79.2 % [66.4-88.8] of PF and 75.2 % [61.8-86.5] of SP surgeries. The revision rate for syndromic and non-syndromic patients was 19.9 % [15.0-25.6] and 11.3 % [5.8-18.3], respectively. The difference was statistically significant, 8.6 % [2.9-15.0, p = 0.003]. Syndromic patients who underwent PF were least likely to undergo revision surgery as compared to SP and CPSP, 7.7 % [2.3-17.9] vs. 23.7 % [15.5-33.1] and 15.3 % [2.8-40.7], respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Syndromic children had higher revision rates and were significantly less likely to obtain normal resonance following primary surgery than non-syndromic patients. Among syndromic children, PF and CPSP have been shown to improve resonance and reduce revision rates more so than SP alone.

Effectiveness of secondary furlow palatoplasty with buccal myomucosal flap in correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with cleft palate.

OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study was evaluation of the effectiveness of secondary furlow palatoplasty with buccal myomucosal flap (FPBF) for the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in patients with a cleft palate who were treated with two flap palatoplasty (TFP) in their primary palate repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-three medically free children aged 4-8 years with non-syndromic and previously repaired cleft palate via TFP participated in the study. All patients received secondary surgery following the technique of FPBF. Preoperative speech evaluation was done before the secondary repair and 3 months after the surgery using a hypernasal speech scale, speech intelligibility scale, and nasopharyngoscopy. RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement was observed regarding the degree of hypernasality and speech intelligibility while comparing the preoperative scores after the primary surgery to the postoperative scores after the secondary surgery. In addition, a statistically significant improvement was found in the nasopharyngoscopic assessment. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of a buccal myomucosal flap with Furlow palatoplasty was successful in improving hypernasality, speech intelligibility, and nasopharyngoscopic scores in patients with cleft palate. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05626933). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This technique might be the surgical technique of choice while treating patients who are suffering from VPI after cleft palate repair.

"Long term speech outcomes after using the Sommerlad technique for primary palatoplasty: a retrospective study in the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht."

OBJECTIVES: After cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) repair, children may develop velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) leading to speech imperfections, necessitating additional speech correcting surgery. This study examines the incidence of VPI and speech correcting surgery after Sommerlad's palatoplasty for CL/P, and its association with various clinical features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital in Utrecht and child records from 380 individuals with CL/P registered from 2008 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria comprised the diagnosis of CL/P, primary palatoplasty according to Sommerlad's technique, and speech assessment at five years or older. Association between cleft type and width, presence of additional genetic disorders and postoperative complications (palatal dehiscence, fistula) were assessed using odds ratios and chi squared tests. RESULTS: A total of 239 patients were included. The VPI rate was 52.7% (n = 126) and in 119 patients (49.8%) a speech correcting surgery was performed. Severe cleft type, as indicated by a higher Veau classification, was associated with a significant higher rate of speech correcting surgeries (p = 0.033). Significantly more speech correcting surgeries were performed in patients with a cleft width >10 mm, compared to patients with a cleft width ≤10 mm (p < 0.001). Patients with oronasal fistula underwent significantly more speech correcting surgeries than those without fistula (p = 0.004). No statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of speech correcting surgery between patients with and without genetic disorders (p = 0.890). CONCLUSIONS/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Variations in cleft morphology, cleft width and complications like oronasal fistula are associated with different speech outcomes. Future research should focus on creating a multivariable prediction model for speech correcting surgery in CL/P patients.

Impact of a Palatal Fistula After Cleft Palate Repair on Velopharyngeal Closure.

PURPOSE: A palatal fistula is an adverse outcome of cleft palate repair. It is unknown if a palatal fistula will influence velopharyngeal closure, even after repair of the fistula. This study determines the effect of a soft palate fistula on the risk of developing velopharyngeal insufficiency. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who underwent primary cleft palate repair between 2000 and 2015, with complete records at 4 years of age. Fistulae involving the secondary palate following primary palatoplasty were classified as the soft or hard palate. A forced-entry multivariate logistic regression model was built to detect predictors of velopharyngeal dysfunction. RESULTS: Records of 329 patients were analyzed with a mean follow-up of 8.7 years. A palatal fistula was identified in 89/329 patients (27%) and 29/329 patients (9%) underwent an independent fistula repair. Of the patients with fistula, 44% were located in the hard palate only and 56% had soft palate involvement. Compared to patients without a fistula, rates of velopharyngeal dysfunction were significantly higher in patients with a fistula involving the soft palate (OR 3.875, CI: 1.964-7.648, P < .001) but not in patients with a hard palate fistula (OR 1.140, CI: 0.497-2.613, P = .757). Veau class, age at primary repair, and syndromic status were not significant predictors of VPI (0.128≤P ≤ .975). CONCLUSIONS: A palatal fistula involving the soft palate is a significant predictor for development of velopharyngeal dysfunction after primary palatoplasty. Surgical intervention, at the time of fistula repair, to add vascularized tissue may be indicated to prophylactically decrease the risk of velopharyngeal dysfunction.

'Suspension Palatoplasty' - A method of surgical correction of VPI post Cleft Palate repair.

OBJECTIVE: To design the technique of 'Suspension Palatoplasty' for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI) post Cleft Palate (CP) based on optimal spatial positioning of palate at the time of VPI correction, by using a non-obstructive, high, midline pharyngeal flap for predictable velopharyngeal closure and normal speech. To evaluate the results of CP patients with VPI operated using the technique of 'Suspension palatoplasty'. DESIGN: An ambi-spective longitudinal clinical study. SETTING: Comprehensive cleft care clinic in a private trust hospital. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Patients operated using the 'Suspension Palatoplasty' technique for VPI post CP repair between 2014 and 2018 with a minimum follow-up period of 5 years. INTERVENTIONS: 'Suspension Palatoplasty' - Double Opposing Z (DOZ) plasty with palatal myoplasty is used to revise soft palate and a narrow superiorly based pharyngeal flap is used to suspend it for a dynamic velopharyngeal closure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Speech outcome and surgical complications. RESULTS: 70 out of 119 studied were found to have normal speech (59%), and another 25 patients (21%) had acceptable speech. Thus 95 out of 119 patients (80%) had normal or near-normal speech and did not require any further speech therapy or surgeries. 12 patients had snoring without difficulty in breathing. One patient had symptoms suggestive of obstructive sleep apnea. Younger patients had a higher percentage of normal speech outcomes. Many of our adult patients also attained normal speech. CONCLUSION: 'Suspension Palatoplasty' aims to achieve normal speech with little effort. It has minimal side effects. The author has performed 403 cases to date.

Posterior Positioning of Levator Veli Palatini with Intact Nasal Layer and Side-by-Side Bilateral Buccinator Flaps: Modified Approach for Palatal Lengthening.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a modified surgical method using bilateral buccinator flaps with posterior positioning of levator veli palatini muscles to treat velopharyngeal insufficiency. DESIGN: Cross-sectional clinical study. PATIENTS: Non-syndromic patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency. INTERVENTION: We performed a modified surgical method using posterior positioning of levator veli palatini muscles and side-by-side bilateral buccinator flaps. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients' characteristics, severity of hypernasality, palatal lengthening size, and operative complications were recorded and described. The severity of hypernasality was determined by a speech therapist before and after the operation. RESULTS: A total of 26 non-syndromic patients, with a median age of 8.5 years, were enrolled. All patients presented with severe hypernasality. Following the operation and during the follow-up period, 12 patients showed a complete resolution of hypernasality, while 9, 3, and 2 patients exhibited mild, moderate, and severe hypernasality, respectively. In addition, the mean palatal lengthening was measured to be 25.3 ± 3.5 mm. Overall, three patients experienced partial flap loss in one flap, which was successfully repaired with a secondary intention without the development of a fistula. In five cases, complete closure of the donor sites couldn't be achieved and thus were treated with secondary intention. Additionally, postoperative food restrictions were observed in seven cases but were resolved within one month. No other complications were noted in the remaining patients. CONCLUSION: This modified palatal lengthening technique results in a significant lengthening of the palate while maintaining favorable speech outcomes. Future randomized clinical trials are warranted to validate our findings.

Review of Current Techniques of Cleft Palate Repair Concerning Palatal Innervation: A Preliminary Assumption.

OBJECTIVE: To highlight the possible surgical steps that could affect the neural supply of soft palate and velopharyngeal sphincter during Furlow palatoplasty and posteriorly-based myo-mucosal buccal flaps in patients with persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency after primary cleft palate repair. DESIGN: Institution-based retrospective study. SETTING: Academic Medical Center. PATIENTS: Non-syndromic patients with persistent hypernasality (after primary cleft palate repair) who had Furlow palatoplasty or posteriorly-based buccal myo-mucosal flaps and were followed up for at least 60 months after the secondary surgery. INTERVENTIONS: All patients were examined using a fiberoptic endoscopy, the movement of components of the velopharyngeal sphincter: soft palate, and lateral pharyngeal walls were traced on the monitor and given a score from 0-4. The pattern of VPS closure was reported whether coronal, circular, or sagittal for each case. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients' characteristics, auditory perceptual assessment, the severity of hypernasality, intraoperative lengthening of the palate, and operative complications were recorded. RESULTS: At postoperative (at least 60 months) evaluation of the patients statistically non-significant differences were reported when comparing the pre-versus post-operative auditory perceptual assessment following both procedures (P value ≥0.05). A greater tendency towards improvement was noticed with BF but was non-significant. CONCLUSION: The nerve supply of the palate could be jeopardized by many techniques of primary or secondary repair of the cleft palate leaving behind a deceiving intact but weak poor-functioning palate. All efforts should be made to provide more neural-preservation techniques in primary/secondary repair of the cleft palate. Further wide-scale research is essential to have final clear conclusions.

Multidisciplinary Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Evaluation Helps Detect Non-classic Cases of 22q11.2 Deletion.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of multidisciplinary velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) assessment in diagnosing 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q) in children. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Multidisciplinary VPD clinic at a tertiary pediatric hospital. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-five children with genetically confirmed 22q evaluated at the VPD clinic between February 2007 and February 2023, including both previously diagnosed patients and those newly diagnosed as a result of VPD evaluation. INTERVENTIONS: Comprehensive review of medical records, utilizing ICD-10 codes and an institutional tool for keyword searches, to identify patients and collect data on clinical variables and outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Characteristics of children with 22q, pathways to diagnosis, and clinical presentations that led to genetic testing for 22q. RESULTS: Of the 75 children, 9 were newly diagnosed with 22q following VPD evaluation. Non-cleft VPI was a significant indicator for 22q in children not previously diagnosed, occurring in 100% of newly diagnosed cases compared to 52% of cases with existing 22q diagnosis (P = .008). Additional clinical findings leading to diagnosis included congenital heart disease, craniofacial abnormalities, and developmental delays. CONCLUSIONS: VPD evaluations, particularly the presence of non-cleft VPI, play a crucial role in identifying undiagnosed cases of 22q. This underscores the need for clinicians, including plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, and speech-language pathologists, to maintain a high degree of suspicion for 22q in children presenting with VPI without a clear etiology. Multidisciplinary approaches are essential for early diagnosis and management of this complex condition.

Effects of Suspension Pharyngeal Flap on Speech in Filipino Individuals with Velopharyngeal Insufficiency.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effects of suspension pharyngeal flap surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) due to cleft palate. METHODS: Ten Filipino individuals (mean age = 20.63 years, range = 8.4-34.9 years) with a cleft palate who underwent suspension pharyngeal flap surgery for VPI were included in this study. Perceptual and instrumental speech assessments were conducted at two different time points: before surgery (data point 1) and after surgery (data point 2, range = 4-26 weeks postoperatively). Speech intelligibility in different contexts and satisfaction with speech were assessed by the participants themselves using a self-report questionnaire. Additionally, the risk for obstructive sleep apnea was assessed using the Berlin Questionnaire. RESULTS: Velopharyngeal gap size significantly decreased after the surgery. Additionally, significant improvements in speech understandability and acceptability were observed following the suspension pharyngeal flap procedure. Besides, a significant reduction in hypernasality, nasal emission, and the occurrence of passive articulation errors was seen. No difference in the occurrence of active articulation errors was observed when comparing data pre- and post-surgery. The ten individuals reported to be significantly more intelligible in different contexts after surgery. CONCLUSION: Improved speech was observed in individuals who received the suspension pharyngeal flap procedure. This procedure also positively influences an individual's intelligibility in different contexts in daily life. In individuals with persisting active articulation errors, post-surgery speech therapy will still be necessary.

Tongue dorsum activity in children with velopharyngeal insufficiency vs. typically developing children.

To investigate whether children with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) exhibit increased elevation and retraction of the tongue dorsum. Two quantitative metrics of tongue dorsum activity: Dorsum excursion Index (DEI) and Tongue Constraint Position Index (TCPI) were captured using mid-sagittal images of the tongue obtained from Ultrasound Tongue Imaging. Participants: Six children with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), six children with palate (w/wo cleft lip) without velopharyngeal insufficiency (wo VPI) and ten typically developing children aged 6-15 repeated six different consonants in aCa and iCi contexts five times. A linear mixed-effect model was used to examine the response variables across three groups. Overall, DEI was not significantly higher in the VPI group than in the other two groups. Also, TCPI was not significantly lower in the cleft palate group (VPI and wo VPI). However, significant differences were detected between certain phonetic contexts in the VPI group. In addition, a significant interaction between group and consonant was found in the context of /i/. These findings suggest that the presence of VPI may not lead to a uniform increase in tongue dorsum elevation or retracted position across all speech sounds. Rather, the articulatory behaviours of children with VPI may be influenced by the specific phonetic context and individual variability.

[The choice of method of surgical treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency]. / Vybor metoda khirurgicheskogo lecheniya nebno-glotochnoi nedostatochnosti.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the criteria for selecting surgical treatments for velopharyngeal disfunction and to evaluate their effectiveness.Materials and Methods. 34 patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency underwent surgery at the National Medical Research Center for Surgery and Maxillofacial Surgery. Five common surgical methods for treating velopharyngeal disfunction were employed. RESULTS: The choice of surgery was primarily based on the anatomical and functional state of the muscle lifting the soft palate, specifically its position, which was determined visually or by MRI. Repositioning of the muscle helped to improve or restore speech in patients with velopharyngeal disfunction through surgeries such as secondary cleft revision, Furlow's palatoplasty, and triangular miomucosal flaps. In cases of soft palate palsy or correct positioning of the m. levator veli palatini, the focus of surgical treatment shifted to the pharynx, where surgeries like pharyngoplasty with a posterior pharyngeal flap and Hynes pharyngoplasties were performed. These also improved or restored speech in patients, though more towards improvement than complete restoration. If the muscle's position was optimal, the choice of treatment method subsequently depended on the results of additional nasopharyngoscopy: determining the size of the opening and the type of velopharyngeal closure. Besides the common methods used for speech management, various surgical procedures were combined based on the clinical situation. CONCLUSION: The position of the levator muscle is very important for its function. The optimal treatment for velopharyngeal disfunction, especially in patients with large openings, involved using a buccal flap alone or in combination with triangular mucosal-muscle flaps, where the highest percentage of normal speech rate was achieved.

[Universal scoring system for assessing speech function in patients with cleft palate at the stages of surgical treatment]. / Universal'naya ball'naya sistema otsenki rechevoi funktsii u patsientov s rasshchelinoi neba na etapakh khirurgicheskogo lecheniya.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a universal system for assessing the speech function in patients with congenital palatal cleft in the postoperative period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A universal system for assessing the speech function for patients with a palatal cleft can be applied both after the primary operation of uranoplasty and for patients diagnosed with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). The patient's speech is assessed according to the following criteria: defects in the pronunciation of consonants by place of articulation: labial, labiodental, lingual-dental, lingual-palatal, lingual-alveolar; speech breathing; tongue position; directed air stream; voicing disorders; The patient's is also evaluated for the following findings: hypernasality (reflected speech); hypernasality (spontaneous speech); hyponasality; pharyngeal reflex; audible nasal emission/turbulence; facial grimaces; speech intelligibility. The speech therapy and dental assessments are added to obtain a value characterizing the patient's condition: from 0 to 10 scoring indicates than only speech therapy correction is needed; from 11 to 18 - the decision on the necessity of surgical treatment is made by the surgeon together with the speech therapist, from 18 to 25 - surgical treatment is necessary with subsequent sessions with a speech therapist. RESULTS: With the help of this questionnaire, the operating surgeon can more accurately and objectively assess in dynamics the result of the surgical treatment, regardless of the results of speech therapy treatment in the postoperative period. The creation of this scoring system for speech assessment is aimed at objectivizing the results of uranoplasty and speech-improving operations. It allows the surgeon to compare the effectiveness of different surgical methods. CONCLUSION: The universal scoring system for assessing the state of speech function can be applied in the diagnosis of a patient with a palatal cleft both after the primary operation on the palate and after corrective surgical interventions. It allows monitoring progress and identifying dynamics in surgical and speech therapy treatment.

How differences in anatomy and physiology and other aetiology affect the way we label and describe speech in individuals with cleft lip and palate.

BACKGROUND: Speech in individuals with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) is a complex myriad of presenting symptoms. It is uniquely associated with the structural difference of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), together with a wide and heterogeneous range of other aetiologies which often co-occur. The nature of the speech sound disorder (SSD) including VPI may also change over the course of an individual's care pathway. Differences in terminology and approaches to analysis are currently used, resulting in confusion internationally. Additionally, current diagnostic labels and classification systems in SSD do not capture the complexity and full nature of speech characteristics in CLP. AIMS: This paper aims to explore the different aetiologies of cleft palate/VPI speech and to relate aetiology with speech characteristic(s). In so doing, it attempts to unravel the different terminology used in the field, describing commonalities and differences, and identifying overlaps with the speech summary patterns used in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The paper also aims to explore the applicability of current diagnostic labels and classification systems in the non-cleft SSD literature and illustrate certain implications for speech intervention in CLP. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The different aetiologies were identified from the literature and mapped onto cleft palate/VPI speech characteristics. Different terminology and approaches to analysis are defined and overlaps described. The applicability of current classification systems in SSD is discussed including additional diagnostic labels proposed in the field. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Aetiologies of cleft palate/VPI speech identified include developmental (cognitive-linguistic), middle ear disease and fluctuating hearing loss, altered oral structure, abnormal facial growth, VPI-structural (abnormal palate muscle) and VPI-iatrogenic (maxillary advancement surgery). There are four main terminologies used to describe cleft palate/VPI speech: active/passive and compensatory/obligatory, which overlap with the four categories used in the UK speech summary patterns: anterior oral cleft speech characteristics (CSCs), posterior oral CSCs, non-oral CSCs and passive CSCs, although not directly comparable. Current classification systems in non-cleft SSD do not sufficiently capture the full nature and complexity of cleft palate/VPI speech. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Our attempt at identifying the heterogeneous range of aetiologies provides clinicians with a better understanding of cleft palate/VPI speech to inform the management pathway and the nature and type of speech intervention required. We hope that the unravelling of the different terminology in relation to the UK speech summary patterns, and those used elsewhere, reduces confusion and provides more clarity for clinicians in the field. Diagnostic labels and classification require international agreement. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Speech associated with cleft palate/velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a complex myriad of speech characteristics with a wide and heterogeneous range of aetiologies. Different terminology and speech summary patterns are used to describe the speech characteristics. The traditional classification of cleft palate/VPI speech is Articulation Disorder, although evidence is building for Phonological Disorder and contrastive approaches in cleft speech intervention. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This paper explores the range of aetiologies of cleft palate/VPI speech (e.g., altered oral structure, abnormal facial growth, abnormal palate muscle and iatrogenic aetiologies) and attempts to relate aetiology with speech characteristic(s). An attempt is made at unravelling the different terminology used in relation to a well-known and validated approach to analysis, used in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Complexities of current diagnostic labels and classifications in Speech Sound Disorder to describe cleft palate/VPI speech are discussed. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? There needs to be a common language for describing and summarising cleft palate/VPI speech. Speech summary patterns based on narrow phonetic transcription and correct identification of aetiology are essential for the accurate classification of the speech disorder and identification of speech intervention approaches. There is an urgent need for research to identify the most appropriate type of contrastive (phonological) approach in cleft lip and/or palate.

Effects of multitasker babble noise on speech intelligibility in children with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI).

BACKGROUND: Intelligibility measurement is influenced by the characteristics of a speaker, listener and contextual factors. This study addresses the clinical problem of measuring speech intelligibility in children with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in real-world conditions. AIMS: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of background noise on speech intelligibility in speakers with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) compared to typical speech. The study further determined the contribution of nasalance and articulation accuracy in judgments of intelligibility. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Fifteen speakers diagnosed with VPI and their typical peers provided audio recordings of 20 sentences from the Hearing in Noise Test. Speech samples were presented over quiet and noise (+5 dB signal-to-noise ratio) conditions to 70 naïve listeners. Intelligibility scores from naïve listeners' orthographic transcriptions were obtained as the percentage of correctly identified words. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed diagnosis of VPI (F(1, 28) = 13.44, p = 0.001, and presence of noise (F(1, 28) = 39.18, p < 0.001) significantly affected the intelligibility scores. There was no interaction between the diagnosis of VPI and noise (F(1, 28) = 0.06, p = 0.80). The multivariate regression analysis indicated that nasalance and articulation accuracy explain a significant amount of variance in the intelligibility scores of VPI speakers in quiet (F(2, 12) = 7.11, p < 0.05, R2   = 0.55, R2 Adjusted   = 0.47) and noise (F(2, 12) = 6.32, p < 0.05, R2   = 0.51, R2 Adjusted   = 0.43), but the significance mainly came from the effect of percentage of consonants correct (ß = 0.97, t(12) = 2.90, p = 0.01). Percentage of consonants correct significantly increased the speech intelligibility in either with or without noise conditions. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The current work suggests that background noise will significantly affect reductions in intelligibility in both groups; the effect is more prominent in VPI speech. It was also further noted that articulation accuracy significantly affected intelligibility in quiet and noise rather than nasalance scores. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Intelligibility measurement is influenced by the characteristics of a speaker, listener and contextual factors. Accordingly, it is essential to determine the degree to which speech assessments in the clinic can predict communication difficulties in the presence of background noise in real life. Background noise can adversely cause speech intelligibility degradation in individuals with speech disorders. What this study adds The study examined the effects of background noise on speech intelligibility in speakers with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) secondary to cleft palate compared to typical speech. The study results suggested that the presence of background noise will significantly affect reductions in intelligibility in both groups; however, the effect is more prominent in VPI speech. What are the clinical implications of this work? We found out that the intelligibility of VPI speech is lower in the presence of background noise, and therefore, assessments of speech intelligibility in clinical settings should take this into account. To ensure effective communication in noisy environments, recommended strategies include selecting quiet locations, eliminating potential distractions and supplementing communication with nonverbal cues. It is important to recognize that the effectiveness of these strategies may vary depending on the individual and the specific communication context.

Speech correcting surgery after primary palatoplasty: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: In cleft palate patients, the soft palate is commonly closed using straight-line palatoplasty, Z-palatoplasty, or palatoplasty with buccal flaps. Currently, it is unknown which surgical technique is superior regarding speech outcomes. The aim of this review is to study the incidence of speech correcting surgery (SCS) per soft palatoplasty technique and to identify variables which are associated with this outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to focus on the incidence of SCS after soft palatoplasty. Additional variables like surgical modification, cleft morphology, syndrome, age at palatoplasty, fistula and assessment of velopharyngeal function were reported. A modified New-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used for quality appraisal. Pooled estimates from the meta-analysis were calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS: One thousand twenty-nine studies were found of which 54 were included in the analysis. The pooled estimate proportion of SCS after straight-line palatoplasty was 19% (95% CI 15-24), after Z-palatoplasty 6% (95% CI 4-9), and after palatoplasty with buccal flaps 7% (95% CI 4-11). CONCLUSIONS: A lower SCS rate was found in patients receiving Z-palatoplasty when compared to straight-line palatoplasty. We propose a minimum set of outcome parameters which ideally should be included in future studies regarding speech outcomes after cleft palate repair. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Current literature reports highly heterogenous data regarding cleft palate repair. Our recommended set of parameters may address this inconsistency and could make intercenter comparison possible and of better quality.

Does Notching Along the Nasal Velar Surface During Nasopharyngoscopy Predict Discontinuity of the Underlying Levator Veli Palatini Muscle?

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of velar notching seen on nasopharyngoscopy for levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle discontinuity and anterior positioning.Nasopharyngoscopy and MRI of the velopharynx were performed on patients with VPI as part of their routine clinical care. Two speech-language pathologists independently evaluated nasopharyngoscopy studies for the presence or absence of velar notching. MRI was used to evaluate LVP muscle cohesiveness and position relative to the posterior hard palate. To determine the accuracy of velar notching for detecting LVP muscle discontinuity, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated.A craniofacial clinic at a large metropolitan hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-seven patients who presented with hypernasality and/or audible nasal emission on speech evaluation and completed nasopharyngoscopy and velopharyngeal MRI study as part of their preoperative clinical evaluation.Among patients with partial or total LVP dehiscence on MRI, presence of a notch accurately identified discontinuity in the LVP 43% (95% CI 22-66%) of the time. In contrast, the absence of a notch accurately indicated LVP continuity 81% (95% CI 54-96%) of the time. The PPV for the presence of notching to identify a discontinuous LVP was 78% (95% CI 49-91%). The distance from the posterior edge of the hard palate to the LVP, known as effective velar length, was similar in patients with and without notching (median 9.8 mm vs 10.5 mm, P = 1.00).The observation of a velar notch on nasopharyngoscopy is not an accurate predictor of LVP muscle dehiscence or anterior positioning.

Surgery for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Following Cleft Palate Repair: An Audit of Contemporary Practice and Proposed Schema of Techniques and Variations.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) includes a wide array of procedures. The purpose of this study was to develop a classification for VPI procedures and to describe variations in how they are performed.Design/participants/setting/outcomes: We completed an in-depth review of the literature to develop a preliminary schema that encompassed existing VPI procedures. Forty-one cleft surgeons from twelve hospitals across the USA and Canada reviewed the schema and either confirmed that it encompassed all VPI procedures they performed or requested additions. Two surgeons then observed the conduct of the procedures by surgeons at each hospital. Standardized reports were completed with each visit to further explore the literature, refine the schema, and delineate the common and unique aspects of each surgeon's technique. RESULTS: Procedures were divided into three groups: palate-based surgery; pharynx-based surgery; and augmentation. Palate-based operations included straight line mucosal incision with intravelar veloplasty, double-opposing Z-plasty, and palate lengthening with buccal myomucosal flaps. Many surgeons blended maneuvers from these three techniques, so a more descriptive schema was developed classifying the maneuvers employed on the oral mucosa, nasal mucosa, and muscle. Pharynx-based surgery included pharyngeal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty, with variations in design for each. Augmentation procedures included palate and posterior wall augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive schema for VPI procedures was developed incorporating intentional adaptations in technique. There was substantial variation amongst surgeons in how each procedure was performed. The schema may enable more specific evaluations of surgical outcomes and exploration of the mechanisms through which these procedures improve speech.

Mitigating Infectious Complications of Injection Pharyngoplasty with Calcium Hydroxyapatite for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency: Retropharyngeal Abscess and Osteomyelitis.

Velopharyngeal insufficiency is a complex condition with various treatment options. In this case, a patient with a cleft palate who was treated for velopharyngeal insufficiency with calcium hydroxyapatite injection pharyngoplasty developed persistent cervical pain on postoperative day 6. CT imaging showed a hypodense structure in the right retropharyngeal tissue, and cultures tested positive for Streptococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus aureus. An MRI later revealed skull base osteomyelitis. The infection was controlled via surgical intervention and antibiotics. This case highlights potential severe complications from injection pharyngoplasty and it underscores the importance of early recognition and management of infectious complications.

Design of a Novel Orthodontic Appliance to Prevent Pedicle Trauma in Patients Undergoing Double-Opposing Buccal Flaps for Palatal Lengthening.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel orthodontic appliance to prevent pedicle trauma in patients undergoing double-opposing buccal flap surgery for secondary palatal lengthening. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Cleft and craniofacial clinic, Johns Hopkins Children's Center. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Four patients undergoing double-opposing buccal flap surgery for repair of velopharyngeal insufficiency. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were fitted with the device, which consists of a lower lingual holding arch with acrylic bite blocks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Presence of pedicle trauma postsurgery and tolerability of the device. RESULTS: The appliance was well tolerated in all 4 patients and no biting trauma to the pedicles was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A reliable appliance has been developed to prevent biting trauma to the pedicles in patients undergoing double-opposing buccal flap surgery in the permanent dentition stage.

Comparison of intelligibility measures for children with velopharyngeal insufficiency: visual analog scale ratings, interval scales, and orthographic transcription (OT)-based measures.

Regardless of the underlying cause for speech impairment in speakers with cleft palate, a universal consequence of cleft palate is reduced speech intelligibility. Still, there is no standardised approach for measuring intelligibility for speakers with cleft speech. The current study aimed to determine the relationship between orthographic transcription (OT)-based measures, interval-scale ratings, and visual analog scale (VAS) ratings for perceptual judgements of intelligibility in speakers with cleft palate as judged by speech-language pathologists (SLPs). The speaker participants were six speakers with velopharyngeal insufficiency secondary to cleft palate. Four sets of sentences from the Hearing in Noise Test were recorded from each speaker. A total of 14 SLPs provided their intelligibility judgement on these speaker's recordings by word-by-word orthographic transcriptions, a visual analog scale (0-100), and a 5-point interval rating scale. A Spearman rank correlation test indicated a negative, strong correlation between OT-based measurements and VAS scores (r = -.94; p = 0.01) and between OT-based measurements and interval rating scores (r = -.77, p = 0.01). A strong, positive correlation was found between scores obtained from VAS and interval rating scales (r = .83, p = 0.05). The strong relationship between the objective measure of intelligibility (i.e. OT-based measure) and a subjective measure of intelligibility (i.e. VAS and interval scale) supports using a less time-consuming VAS as a substitute for orthographic transcription in measuring intelligibility in cleft palate speech.