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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2013; 46(01): 087-091
DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.113716
Original Article
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India

Is there an optimal resting velopharyngeal gap in operated cleft palate patients?

Authors

  • Rajesh Yellinedi

    Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

  • Mukunda Reddy Damalacheruvu

    Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
07 October 2019 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Context: Videofluoroscopy in operated cleft palate patients. Aims: To determine the existence of an optimal resting velopharyngeal (VP) gap in operated cleft palate patients Settings and Design: A retrospective analysis of lateral view videofluoroscopy of operated cleft palate patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 117 cases of operated cleft palate underwent videofluoroscopy between 2006 and 2011. The lateral view of videofluoroscopy was utilised in the study. A retrospective analysis of the lateral view of videofluoroscopy of these 117 patients was performed to analyse the resting VP gap and its relationship to VP closure. Statistical analysis used: None. Results: Of the 117 cases, 35 had a resting gap of less than 6 mm, 34 had a resting gap between 6 and 10 mm and 48 patients had a resting gap of more than 10 mm. Conclusions: The conclusive finding was that almost all the patients with a resting gap of <6 mm (group C) achieved radiological closure of the velopharynx with speech; thus, they had the least chance of VP insufficiency (VPI). Those patients with a resting gap of >10 mm (group A) did not achieve VP closure on phonation, thus having full-blown VPI. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ideal resting VP gap is approximately 6 mm so as to get the maximal chance of VP closure and thus prevent VPI.

KEY WORDS

Resting gap - videofluoroscopy - velopharyngeal incompetence - cleft palate
 
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