OBJECTIVE: After cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) repair, children may develop velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) leading to speech imperfections, necessitating additional speech correcting surgery. This study examines the incidence of VPI and speech correcting surgery after Sommerlad\'s palatoplasty for CL/P, and its association with various clinical features.
METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in the Wilhelmina Children\'s Hospital in Utrecht and child records from 380 individuals with CL/P registered from 2008 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria comprised the diagnosis of CL/P, primary palatoplasty according to Sommerlad\'s technique, and speech assessment at five years or older. Association between cleft type and width, presence of additional genetic disorders and postoperative complications (palatal dehiscence, fistula) were assessed using odds ratios and chi squared tests.
RESULTS: A total of 239 patients were included. The VPI rate was 52.7% (n = 126) and in 119 patients (49.8%) a speech correcting surgery was performed. Severe cleft type, as indicated by a higher Veau classification, was associated with a significant higher rate of speech correcting surgeries (p = 0.033). Significantly more speech correcting surgeries were performed in patients with a cleft width >10 mm, compared to patients with a cleft width ≤10 mm (p < 0.001). Patients with oronasal fistula underwent significantly more speech correcting surgeries than those without fistula (p = 0.004). No statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of speech correcting surgery between patients with and without genetic disorders (p = 0.890).
CONCLUSIONS: Variations in cleft morphology, cleft width and complications like oronasal fistula are associated with different speech outcomes. Future research should focus on creating a multivariable prediction model for speech correcting surgery in CL/P patients.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to verify velopharyngeal sphincter function in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome patients (22q11.2DS) to establish correlations between aerodynamic and perceptual measures of nasality, and to identify aerodynamic measures differentiating typical from atypical velopharyngeal behavior.
METHODS: Eleven subjects with 22q11.2DS and twenty similar-age control subjects were recruited. The aerodynamic measures were mean Sound Pressure Level, air pressure peak, pressure wave duration, airflow pattern and nasal airflow during the sequence /pi/. The nasality perceptual measures were rhinolalia, rhinophony and nasal air escape.
RESULTS: Airflow patterns and perceptual measures were statistically different in the two groups. Pressure wave duration and air pressure peak were lower in study subjects than in controls. Air pressure peak and nasal airflow were negatively correlated with rhinolalia; pressure wave duration was negatively correlated with nasal air escape and rhinolalia in 22q11.2DS patients.
CONCLUSIONS: This aerodynamic study identified velopharyngeal qualitative and quantitative dysfunctions, suggesting heterogeneous models of velopharyngeal function in syndromic subjects as compared to controls.

BACKGROUND: The aim of palatoplasty is to create a functional palate to achieve normal speech, while minimizing post-operative complications. This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of modified Furlow palatoplasty using small double-opposing Z-plasty (small-DOZ) and conventional Furlow palatoplasty (conventional-DOZ) performed in a single center.
METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent Furlow palatoplasty between May 2007 and March 2014 was executed. Non-syndromic patients subjected to palatoplasty prior to 24 months of age and followed-up until at least 9 years of age were included.
RESULTS: A total of 196 small-DOZ and 280 conventional-DOZ palatoplasty patients were included in this study. Overall, 14 patients (2.9%) developed oronasal fistula, and 40 patients (8.4%) received velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) surgery. In comparisons, oronasal fistula rate was significantly higher in conventional-DOZ (0.5% vs. 4.6%, p = 0.01), and the VPI prevalence was not significantly different (9.2% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.62). Patients who developed fistula had a significantly higher likelihood of developing VPI than patients without oronasal fistula (50.0% vs. 7.1%, respectively; p < 0.01), with an odds ratio of 13.0.
CONCLUSIONS: Both modalities of palatoplasty yielded commendable velopharyngeal function in the long-term follow-up. The small-DOZ with reduced tension lowered the risk of oronasal fistula.

The study aimed to assess the efficacy of buccinator myomucosal flap (BMF) compared to Bardach two-flap use in primary cleft palatoplasty on palatal length and fistulation rate. Palatal length in relation to the pharynx is a critical factor regarding velopharyngeal function. The goal was to predict the risk of velopharyngeal insufficiency by comparing the potential of two different techniques in lengthening the palate and to decrease the fistulation rate. A total of 46 patients with complete wide cleft palate were randomly divided into two equal groups: a study group, in which the cleft palate defect was repaired by BMF; and a control group, in which patients\' clefts were repaired by Bardach (two-flap) palatoplasty during primary repair. All patients were evaluated at 1-, 3- and 6-month intervals to detect the fistulation rate and to measure the palatal length by taking impressions, pouring casts to measure the palatal length from anterior reference point (incisive foramen) to the posterior reference point(uvula) and calculating the change of palatal length. There was a significant increase in the palatal length measurements in the study (BMF) group (immediate postoperatively and at 3 and 6 months) compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Regarding the fistulation rate, there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.346). The use of the buccinator flap during primary repair of cleft palate decreased the fistulation rate.

BACKGROUND: Management of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is challenging. The authors compared pharyngeal flap outcomes in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome to those with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP) to assess risk of poor speech outcomes and negative sequelae.
METHODS: Children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome or CLP treated with pharyngeal flap through a multidisciplinary VPI clinic between 2009 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative speech assessments, perioperative characteristics, and complications were identified.
RESULTS: Thirty-six children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and 40 with CLP were included. Age at surgery ( P = 0.121), preoperative velopharyngeal competence score ( P = 0.702), and preoperative resonance ( P = 0.999) were similar between groups. Pharyngeal flaps were wider ( P = 0.038) and length of stay longer in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome group ( P = 0.031). On short-term follow-up 4 months after surgery, similar speech outcomes were seen between groups. At long-term follow-up greater than 12 months after surgery, 86.7% of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome versus 100% of CLP ( P = 0.122) children had improvement in velopharyngeal function; however, fewer children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (60.0%) achieved a completely \"competent\" velopharyngeal competence score compared with those with CLP (92.6%) ( P = 0.016). Nasal regurgitation improved for both groups, with a greater improvement in those with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome ( P = 0.026). Revision rate ( P = 0.609) and new-onset obstructive sleep apnea ( P = 0.999) were similar between groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome have improved speech after pharyngeal flap, but they may be less likely to reach normal velopharyngeal function over the long term than those with CLP; however, negative sequelae do not differ. Improvement in nasal regurgitation is a uniquely positive outcome in this population.
METHODS: Risk, II.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a method of measuring the change in palatal length and shape following maxillary advancement using synchronous lateral videofluoroscopy and voice recording in order to understand how movement of the maxilla may affect VPI risk in patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P).
METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of children with cleft lip and/or palate.
METHODS: Single center, tertiary children\'s hospital.
METHODS: Patients with cleft lip and/or palate who underwent maxillary advancement between 2016-21 inclusive.
METHODS: Maxillary advancement surgery, including those who underwent concurrent mandibular procedures.
METHODS: The length of the soft palate and the genu angle were measured throughout palatal dynamic range. Pre- and post-operative measurements were compared using a one sided T-test, with subgroup analysis for patients with clinical VPI.
RESULTS: Ten patients were examined. The mean distance of maxillary advancement was 10.5 mm. The average increase in pre-genu soft palate length was 2.8 mm in the resting position and 2.9 mm in the closed position. The genu angle decreased in the closed position by 16.3 degrees.
CONCLUSIONS: The soft palate showed limited ability to lengthen following maxillary advancement and this may explain the risk of VPI. There was partial compensation by the muscle sling of the palate as demonstrated by a more acute post-operative genu angle and this suggests one reason for the variability of VPI reported. Future research is required to investigate how length and shape changes measured using this method can predict VPI risk.

The purpose of this study was to introduce the surgical process of Sommerlad-Furlow modified (S-F) palatoplasty and compare its surgical and functional outcomes with conventional Sommerlad (S) palatoplasty. Patients with non-syndromic cleft palate who had undergone either S-F palatoplasty or S palatoplasty were retrospectively reviewed. Data on the outcomes of velopharyngeal function and postsurgical palatal fistula incidence were collected for all patients. Data for preselected factors, including gender, age at palatoplasty, and cleft type, were also collected. Chi-square tests were conducted. 1254 patients were included. The postsurgical velopharyngeal competence (VPC) rate after S-F palatoplasty was significantly higher than after S palatoplasty (total, 70.5% vs 57.9%, p < 0.0001; age ≤ 1, 87.0% vs 69.2%, p < 0.0001; 1 < age ≤ 2, 78.3% vs 69.3%, p = 0.0479). With regard to different types of cleft palate, the postsurgical VPC rates after S-F palatoplasty were all significantly higher than for S palatoplasty in all patients younger than 2 years of age (complete cleft palate, 78.7% vs 62.4%, p = 0.0016; hard and soft palate cleft, 84.4% vs 74.8%, p = 0.0172; submucosal cleft and soft palate cleft, 96.6% vs 68.4%, p = 0.0114). The postoperative fistula rate after S-F palatoplasty was 4.3%. This modified palatoplasty technique provided adequate cleft palate closure, with satisfactory speech outcomes and low fistula rates, while older age at palatoplasty may affect the postsurgical outcomes. Within the limitations of the study it seems that the Sommerlad-Furlow modified technique is an option for cleft palate repair.

OBJECTIVE: To present the design and methodology for an actively enrolling comparative effectiveness study of revision palatoplasty versus pharyngoplasty for the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI).
METHODS: Prospective observational multicenter study.
METHODS: Twelve hospitals across the United States and Canada.
METHODS: Individuals who are 3-23 years of age with a history of repaired cleft palate and a diagnosis of VPI, with a total enrollment target of 528 participants.
METHODS: Revision palatoplasty and pharyngoplasty (either pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty), as selected for each participant by their treatment team.
METHODS: The primary outcome is resolution of hypernasality, defined as the absence of consistent hypernasality as determined by blinded perceptual assessment of a standard speech sample recorded twelve months after surgery. The secondary outcome is incidence of new onset obstructive sleep apnea. Statistical analyses will use propensity score matching to control for demographics, medical history, preoperative severity of hypernasality, and preoperative imaging findings.
RESULTS: Study recruitment began February 2021. As of September 2022, 148 participants are enrolled, and 78 have undergone VPI surgery. Enrollment is projected to continue into 2025. Collection of postoperative evaluations should be completed by the end of 2026, with dissemination of results soon thereafter.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with VPI following cleft palate repair are being actively enrolled at sites across the US and Canada into a prospective observational study evaluating surgical outcomes. This study will be the largest and most comprehensive study of VPI surgery outcomes to date.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether method of maxillary advancement in adolescents with cleft palate with or without cleft lip (CP ± L) influences post-operative velopharyngeal function.
METHODS: Retrospective cohort.
METHODS: Pediatric Tertiary Care Hospital.
METHODS: One hundred and ninety-nine patients with CP ± L after LeFort I osteotomy for maxillary advancement at our institution between January 2007 and June 2019.
METHODS: LeFort I osteotomy via distraction osteogenesis (DO) or conventional osteotomy (CO).
METHODS: Patients who underwent DO or CO were compared for the presence of new velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), as measured by perceptual rating by a craniofacial speech-language pathologist.
Of the 199 patients who underwent maxillary advancement, 126 were available for analysis. The DO group was younger, male, and had more severe maxillary hypoplasia. Following surgery, 17/41 (41.5%) of the DO group had new VPI, compared to just 23/85 (27.1%) of the CO group. After adjusting for cleft type and predicted maxillary advancement, however, there was not sufficient evidence to reject the null hypothesis of no difference in risk of post-operative VPI between the two surgical groups (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.40, 95% CI 0.68-2.90). Increased prevalence of VPI after DO versus CO was primarily observed among patients with a pre-operative velopharyngeal need ratio < 0.8 (PR = 2.01, 95% CI 0.79-5.10) and patients with normal velopharyngeal function pre-operatively (PR = 2.86, 95% CI 0.96-8.50).
Our results suggest an increased rather than decreased risk of VPI following DO relative to CO. This association is primarily seen among those with a smaller velopharyngeal ratio or perceptually normal velopharyngeal function pre-operatively.

UNASSIGNED: To identify a better method for primary cleft palate (CP) repairs with respect to velopharyngeal function.
UNASSIGNED: A retrospective, longitudinal review of medical charts of patients with congenital CP who underwent four different techniques of palatoplasty, performed by three different surgeons in the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the National Center for Maternal and Child Health. Nasopharyngoscopy (NPS) was used for velopharyngeal function evaluation. CP was classified according to the Veau system and the \"Golding-Kushner\" scale for NPS results was used for assessing the patient\'s velopharyngeal function and its association with cleft types and the primary palatoplasty techniques. Pearson\'s Chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 335 patients were included in the study. The mean age at primary palate repair was 22.9 ± 13.6 months. There were 56, 42, 177, and 60 patients with Veau-I, Veau-II, Veau-III, and Veau-IV types, respectively, whereas for primary palatoplasty 65 patients underwent Furlow, 148 patients - Mongolian, 108 patients - two flap, 34 patients - von Langenbeck technique. NPS assessment of adequate velopharyngeal function was followed by Furlow\'s technique in 89.4% of cases, Mongolian technique in 62.2% of cases but by \"two flap\" only in 48.1% and von Langenbeck in 47.1% of cases.
UNASSIGNED: The Furlow and Mongolian techniques were superior for maintaining velopharyngeal function after primary palatoplasty.