Abstract
In 60 cleft palate patients who received a pharyngeal flap operation, the growth of articulatory organs and maxilla were measured using a latelal cephalometric x-ray taken before and after the operation. The rates of expiratory leakage through the nasal cavity were also measured to comparatively study the effects of a pharyngeal flap on nasopharyngeal function and on the growth of maxilla, in terms of age at the time of operation, type of clefts, and structure of pharyngeal flaps.
1. The inclination of soft palates tended to decrease immediately after the operation. This was especially remarkable in younger patients.
2. The fore and rear diameters of the pharynx started to reduce immediately after the operation, and became constant after 1 year. The time-dependent change after the operation was not significant.
3. The diameter of soft palates increased by 3-7 mm after the operation. Abortive soft palates were greatly related to the incomplete nasopharyngeal function.
4. The expiratory leakage through the nasal cavity was remarkably improved in the younger patients. In the case of the patients of 16 and up, no improvement was observed even after the operation.
5. The growth of maxilla tended to be suppressed after the operation in the younger patients.
6. As a result of comprehensive consideration of the nasopharyngeal function and the growth of the maxilla, it has been concluded that the optimum age for the pharyngeal flap operation may be 6 or 7 years old.
