Levator Veli Palatini Muscle Ratio Is a Clinically Significant Anatomic Predictor for Velopharyngeal Surgical Need.

Objective: Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) poses challenges for normal speech production, often necessitating surgical intervention. Determining optimal candidates for surgery remains complex and requires a nuanced understanding of underlying anatomic factors contributing to VPI. This study aimed to identify anatomic predictors that drive surgical recommendations for VPI.

Design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: Pediatric tertiary care hospital.

Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired from 150 children (aged 4-17) to identify anatomic predictors of VPI and surgical need. Fourteen velopharyngeal variables were measured in the oblique coronal and midsagittal imaging planes. Calculations included differences in levator veli palatini (LVP) muscle angles of origin, mean extravelar length, differences between left and right extravelar segments, the VP Needs ratio, and a newly developed LVP ratio. Multivariate logistic regression models with k-fold cross validation were utilized to identify anatomic profiles predictive of VPI and receiving a surgical recommendation.

Results: The models demonstrated high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Among anatomic variables, the LVP ratio emerged as the strongest determinant of surgical need (β = 11.256, < .001). Notably, an increase in the LVP ratio of 0.10 is associated with a 3.08-fold increase in the likelihood of receiving a surgical recommendation. LVP ratios above 1.0 were significant for both VPI classification and surgical need.

Conclusions: The LVP ratio significantly differentiates individuals with VPI and is predictive of surgical need for VPI management. Inclusion of the LVP ratio into clinical evaluations may refine patient stratification, enabling more precise surgical decision-making tailored to individual anatomic variations.