Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the difference of velopharyngeal growth between patients undergoing pharyngeal flap surgery and those without pharyngeal surgery, and to examine the stability of the levels of velopharyngeal closure. Thirty cleft palate patients were divided into two groups, the pharyngeal flap surgery group (ph+ group) and the without pharyngeal flap surgery group (ph− group). Data were based on lateral X-ray cephalograms taken during phonation of "A". Vertical and horizontal measurements derived from various anatomic reference points and lines of the nasopharyngeal structures were analyzed.
The results were as follows:
1) There was no significant difference between the two groups; they showed similar nasopharyngeal growth in the caudal and dorsal directions.
2) No significant difference was found in the growth volume between the ph+ and ph− groups.
3) The base of the pharyngeal flap increased about 5 mm during the examination period.
4) The level of velopharyngeal closure was stable during the examination period.
