Furlow Palatoplasty: Should We Also Focus on the Size of the Nasopharynx?

Objectives: (1) To determine the incidence rate of velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) according to 7 speech criteria post-Furlow palatoplasty. (2) To find an anatomical measurement of the cleft palate (or combination of measurements) associated with the occurrence of VPD.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

We can predict postpalatoplasty velopharyngeal insufficiency in cleft palate patients.

Objectives/hypothesis: To find an anatomical measurement of the cleft palate (or a calculated parameter) that predicts the occurrence of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) after palatal cleft repair.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Charts were reviewed from cleft palate patients who underwent palatoplasty by the Von Langenbeck technique for isolated cleft palate or Bardach two-flap palatoplasty for cleft lip-palate.