Abstract
A case of dysphagia after extirpation of a carcinoma in the soft palate is reported. The patient complained that the bolus tended to enter the nasal medium entered the nasal cavity through a defect in the soft palate. A speech aid was used to close the defect. This treatment sufficiently alleviated the disturbance. Thirteen month later, entrance of the contrast medium disappeared even if the instrument was detached. This could suggest that the use of speech aid helps the increase of the levator veli palatini and tensor veli palatini muscle contraction and the increase the function of the impaired soft palate. A speech aid is a useful tool for closing small defects of the soft palate which cause swallowing disturbances.
