Comparative study of the extent of palatal lengthening by different methods

Palatal lengthening is often emphasized in performing palatoplasty. However, definitive data regarding the method of measuring palatal length and the extent of palatal lengthening expressed quantitatively have not been reported. The authors have devised an easy method of measuring palatal length that can be expressed quantitatively, and they examined the characteristics of various methods of palatoplasty that are presently used commonly. A paper ruler was used to measure both a straight-line and a curved distance while the patient was under general anesthesia before and immediately after the palatoplasty. According to this study, the straight-line distance was lengthened to a significantly greater degree than the curved distance was after pushback palatoplasty for incomplete types of cleft palate and two-flap palatoplasty for complete types. Furlow double-opposing Z-palatoplasty and two-flap palatoplasty appeared to allow for greater palatal lengthening than the pushback palatoplasty. Further investigations will be undertaken to determine the correlation between the extent of palatal lengthening and speech development.     

Results of two-flap palatoplasty with regard to speech production

European Journal of Plastic Surgery - Forty-five children with unilateral cleft lip and palate, who underwent two-flap palatoplasty as described by Bardach [6], were examined primarily for speech...     

Comparison of the rate of palatal fistulation after two-flap and four-flap palatoplasty

We studied 73 repairs of cleft palate (48 cleft lip and palate and 25 isolated cleft palate) done during a 7-year period (January 1996–October 2002) by the same plastic reconstructive surgeon. Two-flap or four-flap palatoplasty techniques were used to provide tension-free, three-layer repairs for patients with cleft palate. Their ages ranged from 10–244 months (mean 27). The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 6 to 60 months (mean 21). There was a palatal fistulation rate of 7% (5/73). There were two fistulas after two-flap palatoplasty (5%, 2/39), and three fistulas after four-flap palatoplasty (9%, 3/34). The mean diameter was 7.8 mm (range 5.1 to 13). There was no significant difference between the two techniques.     

Comparison of the rate of palatal fistulation after two-flap and four-flap palatoplasty.

We studied 73 repairs of cleft palate (48 cleft lip and palate and 25 isolated cleft palate) done during a 7-year period (January 1996-October 2002) by the same plastic reconstructive surgeon. Two-flap or four-flap palatoplasty techniques were used to provide tension-free, three-layer repairs for patients with cleft palate. Their ages ranged from 10-244 months (mean 27). The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 6 to 60 months (mean 21). There was a palatal fistulation rate of 7% (5/73). There were two fistulas after two-flap palatoplasty (5%, 2/39), and three fistulas after four-flap palatoplasty (9%, 3/34). The mean diameter was 7.8 mm (range 5.1 to 13). There was no significant difference between the two techniques.     

Cleft palate with congenital midline teratoma

A 4-year-old girl presented with hypernasal speech. On examination, in addition to velopharyngeal incompetence noted by speech examination, a palatal tumor was found in between the cleft palate. The computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging examinations were suspicious for midline teratoma. Total excision of the nasopalatal tumor was performed, and the pathology revealed benign teratoma. After 6 months of follow-up, no recurrence was noted. A two-flap palatoplasty with a superior-based pharyngeal flap was then performed to reconstruct the palatal defect and to correct the velopharyngeal incompetence. An anterior oronasal fistula developed after the operation, but a tongue flap was transferred to cover the defect successfully. The purpose of this case report is to present the relationship between a congenital midline nasopalatal tumor and cleft palate.     

A retrospective study of speech development in patients with submucous cleft palate treated by four operations.

Fifty patients with submucous cleft palate (SMCP) who had had four different operations were reviewed. The operations were pushback palatoplasty (n = 18), pharyngeal flap (n = 21), pushback palatoplasty combined with a pharyngeal flap (n = 8), and Furlow palatoplasty (n = 3). Postoperatively the speech of 8, 19, 7, and 2 patients, respectively, improved so that it was within normal limits. A secondary pharyngeal flap was done for six patients, each of whom had previously had a pushback palatoplasty. They all improved, five achieving relatively normal speech, and one good speech. No patient developed hyponasality or airway compromise associated with the pharyngeal flap. The results show that pharyngeal flap and pushback palatoplasty combined with a pharyngeal flap seem to be more reliable procedures than pushback palatoplasty for patients with SMCP.     

Facial growth in beagles with repair of an isolated cleft palate

This study tested the hypothesis that surgical repair of a surgically induced palatal defect would result in more severe craniofacial growth aberrations than would occur with the healing of the defect without surgical repair. Fortysix beagle puppies were used in this experiment. The animals were divided into three groups: two control groups (unoperated and unrepaired) and one experimental group (closure using two-flap palatoplasty). Thirty-four direct cephalometric measurements were analyzed using univariate and multivariate techniques. The most severe craniofacial growth aberrations occurred among animals with unrepaired palatal defects. Our analyses suggest that the growth aberrations in animals with palate repair result from the creation, and not the repair, of the palatal defect. It is our opinion that closure of the defect by two-flap palatoplasty contributed to new bone formation within the defect, preventing the growth aberrations which followed surgical creation of the defect which was left unrepaired.     

A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF SPEECH DEVELOPMENT IN PATIENTS WITH SUBMUCOUS CLEFT PALATE TREATED BY FOUR OPERATIONS

Fifty patients with submucous cleft palate (SMCP) who had had four different operations were reviewed. The operations were pushback palatoplasty (n=18), pharyngeal flap (n=21), pushback palatoplasty combined with a pharyngeal flap (n=8), and Furlow palatoplasty (n=3). Postoperatively the speech of 8, 19, 7, and 2 patients, respectively, improved so that it was within normal limits. A secondary pharyngeal flap was done for six patients, each of whom had previously had a pushback palatoplasty. They all improved, five achieving relatively normal speech, and one good speech. No patient developed hyponasality or airway compromise associated with the pharyngeal flap. The results show that pharyngeal flap and pushback palatoplasty combined with a pharyngeal flap seem to be more reliable procedures than pushback palatoplasty for patients with SMCP.     

兰氏和双反Z法腭裂修复术后患儿语音清晰度对比

目的比较兰氏和双反Z法腭裂修复术后患儿的语音清晰度,寻找重建腭咽闭合的最佳手术方法。方法选取2009年至2013年在我院口腔颌面外科就诊的先天性软腭裂患儿69例,其中行双反Z法腭裂修复术35例(双反Z法组),行兰氏法腭裂修复术34例(兰氏法组)。患儿3.5岁后随访,由3名语音师进行单盲性审听,比较两组患儿术后语音清晰度。结果语音测评结果显示,双反Z法组患儿术后患者语音清晰度平均达到88.72%±6.05%,明显高于兰氏法组的71.31%±3.46%,语音改善明显。结论双反Z法能够充分缩小咽腔、延长软腭,重建软腭肌肉结构,更有利于恢复良好的腭咽闭合功能。     

Conversion Furlow palatoplasty: salvage of speech after straight-line palatoplasty and "incomplete intravelar veloplasty"

INTRODUCTION: The straight-line palatoplasty with intravelar veloplasty (IVVP) is one option for cleft palate repair. However, not all IVVPs are performed uniformly. Many IVVPs only address the medialmost portion of the levator muscle, an "incomplete IVVP," failing to completely dissect and adequately transpose the entire levator muscle, "complete IVVP." We believe that for optimal speech results, IVVPs should completely mobilize and posteriorly displace the levator. We propose that a conversion Furlow palatoplasty performed with a "complete IVVP" will correct postoperative velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and alleviate the need for pharyngoplasty. METHODS: Nineteen patients with postoperative VPI, having had prior straight-line palatoplasty and reported "IVVP," underwent conversion Furlow palatoplasty. Those with a pre- and postoperative Pittsburgh Weighted Speech Scale (PWSS) value and no other history of palatal surgeries were included in this study. Statistical analysis was performed by using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. RESULTS: Patients' median age was 5.5 years (range, 4-15 years), with 13 males and 7 females. The median preoperative PWSS score was 11.00 (range, 3-24.5), and the median postoperative was 1.00 (range, 0-5) (P < 0.001). All subcategories of the PWSS were also improved. Eight children had a preoperative fistula, and all were successfully corrected. At the time of conversion Furlow palatoplasty, all patients demonstrated no evidence of previous IVVP as the levator muscle was found to be scarred to the posterior edge of the hard palate. CONCLUSION: The conversion Furlow palatoplasty can be used to significantly improve VPI and salvage speech after a straight-line palatoplasty with an "incomplete IVVP." Patients with postoperative VPI should first be considered for conversion Furlow palatoplasty performed with a "complete IVVP" prior to progressing to pharyngoplasty.     

Evaluation and treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency: the University of Florida experience

This retrospective study spans the years 1988 to 2000 and looks specifically at the treatment procedures and outcomes for the correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Ninety-eight patients underwent preoperative assessment by speech pathologists that included perceptual speech evaluation, videofluoroscopy, and, for some, nasendoscopy. Based on this evaluation protocol, a specific surgical procedure was chosen to serve the patients' needs. The four procedures of choice were the palatal pushback with a pharyngeal flap lining, sphincter pharyngoplasty, a superiorly based obturating pharyngeal flap, and Furlow palatoplasty. The criteria for selecting these procedures are reviewed. The results revealed VPI resolution and the establishment of normal nonnasal speech in more than 95% of the 75 patients for whom outcomes were determined. This study reiterates the importance of thorough preoperative evaluation and the individualization of the secondary corrective procedure.     

Early two-stage double opposing Z-plasty or one-stage push-back palatoplasty?: comparisons in maxillary development and speech outcome at 4 years of age

Determining the optimal timing and procedure of palatal surgery for children with cleft lip and palate has long raised a major controversy. An early two-stage palatoplasty protocol has been a recent trend in an attempt to obtain preferable maxillary growth without compromising adequate speech development. In this study, we aim to address whether the resulting maxillofacial growth and speech development obtained by an early 2-stage palatoplasty protocol are better than those obtained by conventional 1-stage push-back palatoplasty. Seventy-two nonsyndromic children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate were enrolled in this study. They were divided into 2 groups: 30 children, who were treated with early 2-stage palatoplasty, in which soft palate closure was performed using a modified Furlow's procedure at 12 months of age and hard palate closure was performed at 18 months of age (Early Tow Stage [ETS] group: 22 boys, 8 girls), and 42 children, who underwent 1-stage Wardill-Kilner push-back palatoplasty at 12 months of age (Push Back [PB] group: 31 boys, 11 girls). Cephalometric analysis for maxillofacial growth and assessments of speech development were performed for each child at 4 years of age. The ETS group showed a lager maxillary length than the PB group [anterior nasal spine (ANS)-ptm': ETS, 46.7 ± 2.0 mm; PB, 43.6 ± 2.3 mm]. The ANS in the ETS group was positioned more anteriorly than that in the PB group (N'-ANS: ETS, 2.5 ± 1.8 mm; PB, 0.26 ± 2.5 mm), whereas the posterior edge of the maxilla positioned anteroposteiorly was comparable between the 2 groups. The anterior facial height was significantly greater in the ETS group than in the PB group (N-N': ETS, 43.3 ± 2.9 mm; PB, 40.1 ± 2.3 mm, S-S': ETS, 29.7 ± 3.2 mm; PB, 31.0 ± 3.2 mm). No statistically significant differences were observed in the incidence of either velopharyngeal incompetence or articulation errors between the 2 groups at 4 years of age. Our results show that the early 2-stage protocol is advantageous with regard to maxillary growth compared with 1-stage push-back palatoplasty without compromising speech development as evaluated for all children at 4 years of age.     

Adopted children with cleft lip or palate, or both, require special needs cleft surgery

In recent years adoption of children with cleft lip, with or without cleft palate (CLP), and other birth defects has become more common. The aim of the present study was to describe the characteristics and initial care and treatment of adopted children with CLP. A total of 25 children were referred to our department between 2008 and 2010, 7 (28%) of whom had bilateral CLP and 16 (64%) had unilateral CLP. Two children had atypical clefts. Twenty of the patients (80%) had been operated on with a lip plasty in China before adoption. Most patients (n = 14) was seen by the cleft team within two months of arrival, and 13 were operated on within a month of the first visit at our department. In total, 22 primary palatoplasties, 6 lip plasties, and 1 lip adhesion were done. There were 5 fistulas (14%) three months after the palatoplasty. On arrival, 11 (44%) of the children were carriers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Adoption of children with CLP creates new challenges for the cleft teams, as we no longer have control over the overall treatment plan as regards preoperative and surgical treatment and timing of the operations. The patients are also often carriers of resistant bacteria, which create nursing challenges. In cases where the child is older than a year and has not been operated on, we advocate that the palatoplasty, or combined lip plasty and palatoplasty, is always given priority so that speech development is not compromised.     

Management of velopharyngeal insufficiency: development of a protocol and modifications of sphincter pharyngoplasty

Velopharyngeal closure is required for normal speech production. Incomplete velopharyngeal closure manifests as resonance disorders and nasal air escape. Management of velopharyngeal insufficiency requires a general knowledge of speech production as well as a more detailed understanding of the velopharyngeal mechanism. Comprehensive evaluation by a velopharyngeal insufficiency team includes medical assessment focusing on airway obstructive symptoms, perceptual speech analysis, and instrumental assessment, which is utilized to characterize the velopharyngeal gap. Options for intervention include speech therapy, intraoral prosthetic devices, and surgery. Surgical interventions can be categorized as palatal, palatopharyngeal, or pharyngeal procedures. The therapeutic challenge lies in achieving velopharyngeal closure during speech production while maintaining patency of the upper airway. We present our protocol for evaluation of velopharyngeal function with a focus on indications for palatoplasty and pharyngoplasty. We also discuss surgical modifications of sphincter pharyngoplasty.     

A modified procedure for velopharyngeal sphincteroplasty in primary cleft palate repair and secondary velopharyngeal incompetence treatment and its preliminary results.

During cleft repair, velopharyngeal sphincter reconstruction is still a challenge to plastic surgeons. To improve the surgical treatment for cleft palate and secondary velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI), a carefully designed modified procedure for primary palatoplasty and secondary VPI was presented. Fifty-six patients (48 for primary cleft palate repair and eight for secondary VPI of previously repaired clefts) underwent this procedure from 1988 to 2001. The modified procedure is a combination of the tunnelled palatopharyngeus myomucosal flap for dynamic circular reconstruction of the pharyngeal element of the velopharyngeal sphincter and the double-reversing Z-plasty with levator velo palatini muscles reposition in the velar element of the sphincter. The satisfactory velopharyngeal competence (complete velopharyngeal closure and marginal velopharyngeal closure) was achieved in 23 of 25 patients with primary cleft palate repair examined by nasendoscopy and the nasality, speech articulation and intelligibility are also assessed in 25 primary cleft palate repaired patients with 92% satisfactory result (normal speech and speech with mild VPI) in single word test and 88% in continuous speech evaluation. Based on our experience, we believe that this modified procedure is a reasonable choice for primary cleft repair and secondary VPI treatment because it is in accord with normal physiology and anatomy of the velopharyngeal sphincter, can lengthen the soft palate, decrease the enlarged velopharynx, augment the posterior pharyngeal wall, and enhance the relationship between the muscles of velopharyngeal sphincter which results in a dynamic neo-sphincter in palatopharyngoplasty. Further study of the procedure is needed. The theoretical basis, operative highlights, velopharyngeal function, advantages and disadvantages of the modified procedure were discussed.     

腭裂手术年龄对语音清晰度的影响

目的：通过回顾性调查,研究在不同年龄修复腭裂对术后语音清晰度的影响.方法：将102例年龄在10岁以上,腭裂术后2年以上的单侧完全性唇腭裂患者,根据接受腭裂手术的年龄分为3组,A组：0～3.00岁手术组（n=37）、B组：3.01～6.00岁手术组（n=36）和C组：6.01岁以上手术组（n=29）.随访时进行录音检查,对其语音清晰度进行判定,并对不同手术年龄组间语音清晰度的差异进行统计学检验.结果：3组患者的语音清晰度均值分别为91.7％、81.4％、和73.3％,统计学检验显示,术后语音清晰度在3组间的差异有显著性（P＜0.05）.结论：在不同年龄进行腭裂修复术,其术后语音清晰度的恢复不同.手术年龄越小,语音清晰度的恢复越好.     

Submucous cleft palate: a 10-year series

Twenty-nine consecutive patients with submucous cleft palate were treated at the University of Florida during the 10-year period from 1986 to 1996. Twenty-seven patients were available for speech follow-up. The evaluation of these patients and rationale for treatment are discussed. The largest subgroup of patients were treated with the Furlow Z-plasty palatoplasty, which yielded a successful outcome in 15 of 18 patients, or 83%. The overall success rate was 96%. The Furlow Z-plasty palatoplasty was noted to have a very high rate of success for patients with velopharyngeal gaps of 8 mm or less, and less likelihood of success when the velopharyngeal gap exceeded 8 mm.     

Long-term stability of postpalatoplasty perceptual speech ratings: a prospective study.

This prospective study was undertaken to assess the long-term stability of velopharyngeal perceptual speech ratings of patients with repaired cleft palate. All patients were evaluated and managed at the Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Deformities Institute, St. Louis Children's Hospital. Patients alternately received palatoplasty with or without intravelar veloplasty. Two senior surgeons standardized their operative procedures and performed or supervised directly all operations. Perceptual speech and language evaluations were conducted by the same experienced speech pathologist when the children were 6 years old and 12 years or older. Data were analyzed from the 28 patients available for long-term follow-up. The intravelar veloplasty (N = 14) and nonintravelar veloplasty (N = 14) groups were similar with respect to cleft anatomy and mean age at palatoplasty and at the second perceptual speech evaluation. Evaluation of the 12-year-old and older ratings indicated that the overwhelming majority of patients improved or maintained clinical stability in perceptual ratings of velopharyngeal function. When assessing direction and magnitude of change (i.e., incremental improvement vs. deterioration), the intravelar veloplasty and nonintravelar veloplasty groups had a similar distribution of perceptual speech ratings at both the 6-year and 12-year or older speech evaluations. Results were consistent with previously published data from our center, that the intravelar veloplasty procedure did not affect demonstrably the incidence of postpalatoplasty auditory perceptual symptoms of velopharyngeal dysfunction.     

腭裂术后语音清晰度影响因素的分析研究

目的：研究影响腭裂术后患者语音清晰度的相关因素。方法：２９名腭裂修复术后均未行语音训练的复查患者分成语音缺陷组（ＩＡｒ）和语音清晰组（ＮＡｒ）,进行病 列回顾性研究及问卷调查。结果：两组患者的年龄及裂型构成无差异：ＩＡｒ组比ＮＡｒ组列多生活在农村地区,父母文化水平偏低,且较少受到发音纠正,两组均有显著性差异（Ｐ〈０．００５）。结论：腭裂度对术后语音清晰度无明显影响。家庭文化背景及父母对患儿的发音纠正是影响腭裂患者术后语音清晰度的重要因素。     

先天性腭裂的手术修复及其疗效观察

目的：探讨腭裂修复术手术方法及技巧对腭裂患者治疗效果的影响。方法：对97例先天性腭裂患者进行手术治疗，根据腭裂的不同类型选择不同术式，对手术方法及技巧进行总结，探讨腭裂修复术式的选择和其术后并发症的防治方法。结果：97例先天性腭裂患者，92例伤口Ⅰ期愈合，2例软腭穿孔，3例悬雍垂不全裂开。术后复诊的68位患者，语音恢复效果满意者26例，明显改善14例，语音不良28例。结论：手术方法以两瓣法为首选，软硬腭交界处鼻腔粘膜均应切断，手术操做应轻柔，不仅要关闭裂隙，还应使软腭达到足够的长度和动度，重建良好”腭咽闭合”，术中止血应彻底，术后应预防伤口感染和加强护理。出院后应积极进行语音训练。