REHABILITATION OF THE PATIENTS AFTER OROPHARYNGEAL RESECTION

ABOUT EFFECT OF USING A VELOPHARYNGEAL PROSTHESIS

Abstract

The effects of using a velopharyngeal prosthesis on speech and swallowing function were studied in 5 patients who underwent resection of the oropharynx. Three of 5 patients underwent reconstruction with free flaps.
Speech and swallowing function with and without prosthesis were evaluated by the speech intelligibility test which consisted of 100 Japanese syllables and water swallowing test.
The results were as follows:
(1) Mean percentage of speech intelligibility was improved from 27.4% without prosthesis to 76.4% with prosthesis. The patients who uenderwent resectino to the base of the tongue or mandible did not show a high intelligibility score.
(2) The mean swallowing time of 30ml water was improved from 11.4 seconds without prosthesis to 2.4 seconds with prosthesis.
From the results, it was suggested that prosthodontic treatment using a velopharyngeal prosthesis is effective for improving speech and swallowing function in patients after resection of oropharynx, and factors, which affect the result of using a prosthesis, are preserving the posterior margin of the soft palate, Passavant's ridge and area of resection.