Velopharyngeal Insufficiency after Palatine Tonsillectomy; A Case Report

Abstract

A 51-year-old man developed velopharyngeal insufficiency after palatine tonsillectomy. His preoperative velopharyngeal function was normal and he had none of the features of C alnan's triad that suggest submucous cleft palate or congenital velopharyngeal insufficiency.
His velopharyngeal insufficiency was thought to be induced by adhesions between the lingual base and the anterior faucial pillars and cicatrication of the anterior faucial pillars. His velopharyngeal insufficiency was almost completely cured by resection of these scar tissues and covering the raw surface with a local buccal membrane flap.
Velopharyngeal insufficiency induced by palatine tonsillectomy is very rare, but it is a possible complication of palatine tonsillectomy and must be taken into account.