Velopharyngeal Function in Patients with Submucous Cleft Palate

• Published in: Journal of Japanese Cleft Palate Association Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 25 - 33
• Main Authors: MAKISHI, Syouko, MAEKAWA, Takako, ARAKAKI, Keiichi, NAKAMA, Joji, TENGAN, Toshimoto, ISHIKAWA, Taku, SUNAKAWA, Hajime, SUNAKAWA, Masayo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Cleft Palate Association 30.04.2008
• Subjects: articulation disorders; submucous cleft palate; velopharyngeal function; verbal results; 異常構音; 粘膜下口蓋裂; 言語成績; 鼻咽腔閉鎖機能
• ISSN: 0386-5185; 2186-5701
• DOI: 10.11224/cleftpalate1976.33.1_25

In 50 patients with submucous cleft palate who had visited our department during the period from 1985 to 2003, the velopharyngeal function was examined according to their treatment courses. 1. The subjects enrolled in this study were composed of 24 males (48.0%) and 26 females (52.0%). 2. The subjects age ranged from 1 month postpartum to 29 years with the average of 5.08 years old. 3. Their main complain was verbal problems in 30 cases (60.0%), request of detailed oral examination in 15 cases (30.0%), request of surgical intervention in 3 cases (6.0%), and request of orthodontic/prosthetic treatment in 2 cases (4.0%). 4. According to the treatment course, there were 27 cases in the operated group (65.1%),14 cases in the non-operated group (34.1%) and the remaining 9 cases in other group (1.8%). 5. The velopharyngeal function evaluated after operation (averaged 18 months postoperatively) was good (good + fairly good) in 70.4% of patients in the operated group and 84.1% of patients with no mental retardation. In the 8 cases with mental retardation, the velopharyngeal function was evaluated as good (good + fairly good) in 37.5%. 6. The velopharyngeal function evaluated after observation period or verbal treatment in the nonoperated group was good (good + fairly good) in 92.8%.