5 Years Experience of 102 Palatoplasties with Speech Assessment

Summary

In a study carried over a five year period, 102 patients of cleft palate were studied for assessment of surgical results including speech development, 48 patients had group II (post alveolar) clefts and 54 patients belonged to group III (alveolar) clefts. Middle ear problems were seen in 11.65 percent of patients. In group II patients cleft was repaired by V-Y push-back palatoplasty and in group III patients with four flap technique. There was no operative mortality. Post operative complications occurred in 6.86 percent of patients. 81 patients could be evaluated for surgical results out of which 60 patients above the age of four years were assessed for speech development. 70 percent of patients had adequate length and mobility and 10 percent had short immobile palates. 60 percent of patients achieved acceptable and 40 percent unacceptable speech. Speech results were better in group II clefts than in group III clefts.

Key Words

Cleft Palate - Surgical results - Speech assessment

Publication History

Article published online:
07 September 2023