Aerodynamic evaluation of velopharyngeal incompetence in children with cleft palate

Abstract

Objectives: Treatment choices in children with cleft palate include maintenance of speech therapy or surgery for correction of hypernasality and articulation disorders caused by velopharyngeal insufficiency. In this study, we aimed to determine the optimal treatment choice based on the measurement of aerodynamic velopharyngeal competence in children with cleft palate and velopharyngeal insufficiency after cleft palate closure. Methods: Maximal nasal airflow leakage during articulation was measured by rhinomanometry and compared between children who received only speech therapy after cleft palate closure and those who underwent additional pharyngeal flap construction after cleft palate closure. Results: The mean airflow leakage values during articulation were significantly higher in the children who received surgical therapy than in those who received only speech therapy. Conclusions: The appropriate threshold of maximum nasal airflow leakage must be determined to facilitate identification of the optimal treatment choice in children with cleft palate and hypernasality.

Keywords

• aerodynamic evaluation
• rhinomanometry
• velopharyngeal competence
• cleft palate
• children