The Effect of Posterior Pharyngeal Wall Augmentation with Costal Cartilage for Treating Stress Velopharyngeal Insufficiency in a Wind Instrument Player : A Case Report

Abstract

 When playing wind instruments, musicians with stress velopharyngeal insufficiency (SVPI) may demonstrate a persistent air leak through the nasal cavity. Although SVPI does not interfere with daily life, including articulation, it can make playing wind instruments difficult. Consequently, SVPI can be a serious problem for musicians. Moreover, SVPI is not recognized as a condition, and the appropriate treatment remains to be elucidated. Herein, we report a 13-year-old boy who developed SVPI after a submucous cleft palate surgery, which interfered with his ability to play music. As well as SVPI treatment, we performed a posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation using costal cartilage to address nasal air leak. This procedure was successful and 10 months after surgery, the patient could play music without issues.