A custom nasal obturator for velopharyngeal dysfunction: A dental technique.

Removable nasal obturators provide a treatment option for a range of patients presenting with velopharyngeal dysfunction without eliminating the possibility for future surgery, speech therapy, or the provision of other devices. The presented technique describes the fabrication of a 1-piece silicone nasal obturator to reduce hypernasality and nasal airflow errors without causing significant hyponasality. The obturator has minimal visibility and minimal risk of inhalation.

Speech Outcomes Following Orticochea Pharyngoplasty in Patients With History of Cleft Palate and Noncleft Velopharyngeal Dysfunction.

Objective: To report speech outcomes following Orticochea pharyngoplasty in 43 patients with cleft palate and noncleft velopharyngeal dysfunction.

Design: A retrospective surgical audit of patients undergoing Orticochea pharyngoplasty between 2004 and 2012, with speech as a primary outcome measure.

Setting: Patients known to a regional UK cleft center.