Operative Procedure for Grave Velopharyngeal Insufficiency after Cleft Palate Surgery

Abstract

To achieve an effective velopharyngeal valval mechanism for patients with abnormalities of speech related to ineffectual velopharyngeal function, we adopted the repush back and levator sling reconstructive operation combined with pharyngeal flap. The cut of the nasal side of the soft palate can easily contact the posterior pharyngeal wall. The raw nasal surface behind the bony end up to the lateral walls completely covered the upper based posterior pharyngeal flap to prevent the wound contraction. This flap does not make the naso-pharyngeal space narrow but mainly covers the raw area. Simaltaneously, the levator sling reconstruction is performed by retropositioning of the levator muscles. Almost all of cases showed lengthened soft palate and good mobility necessary for speech.