Short-term and long-term results of speech improvement after surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency with pharyngeal flaps in patients younger and older than 6 years old: 10-year experience.

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a well-known cause for hypernasality. To overcome this problem, the authors use a static surgical technique: a cranially or caudally based flap. In 93 patients, the results of this technique on speech (hypernasality, nasal air escape, articulation) and velopharyngeal function were evaluated over a period of at least 1 year.

A 10-year review of perioperative complications in pharyngeal flap surgery.

A 10-year retrospective study was undertaken to investigate perioperative complications in pharyngeal flap surgery in one institution using inferiorly and superiorly based flaps. In this fashion the current practice of surgical technique based on local findings and perioperative care, through regular monitoring by experienced nurses on the ward, was evaluated for adequacy. The charts of 275 patients who had 287 pharyngeal flap procedures were studied.