Speech outcomes following pharyngeal flap in patients with velocardiofacial syndrome.

Background: Velocardiofacial syndrome is the most common defined disorder associated with palatal insufficiency. The authors' purpose is to evaluate one surgeon's experience with correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency in velocardiofacial syndrome using a tailored pharyngeal flap.

Methods: The authors reviewed the records of all children with velocardiofacial syndrome and velopharyngeal insufficiency who were managed with a pharyngeal flap between 1983 and 2009. Data collected included age at operation, preoperative videofluoroscopic findings, speech outcomes, complications, and need for a secondary operation.

Results: The authors identified 33 patients with velocardiofacial syndrome and velopharyngeal insufficiency who had postoperative speech evaluations. Velopharyngeal insufficiency was diagnosed at a median age of 5 years. Palatal findings were: Veau type I (n = 4), overt submucous (n = 6), or occult submucous (n = 23). Median preoperative lateral pharyngeal wall movement was 22 percent (range, 0 to 90 percent). Successful correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency was achieved in 29 of 33 patients (88 percent). One patient had a medially displaced right internal carotid artery, and evidenced intraoperative bleeding and required a blood transfusion. One patient developed obstructive sleep apnea.

Conclusion: A tailored pharyngeal flap is highly effective for correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency in velocardiofacial syndrome with few complications.