Intravelar veloplasty reinforced with palatopharyngeal muscle: A review of a 10-year consecutive series

Abstract

We describe a technique by which the intravelar veloplasty was reinforced by including the superior part of posterior pillars and their palatopharyngeal muscle sheet in patients with cleft lip and palate. Our aim was to increase the functional length and strength of the velum and to reduce nasal emission and the need for pharyngeal flaps. Since 1990 more than 200 patients have been operated on in this way at Uppsala University Hospital. This is a retrospective follow-up of 162 consecutive patients operated on by two senior surgeons between 1990 and 2000. We describe the technique, timing, and operative observations as well as the outcome and the need for revision of the palatoplasty in some cases because of complications. To facilitate speech, 21 patients born between 1990 and 1997 (16%) were provided with a pharyngeal flap.

• Velopharyngeal insufficiency
• palate
• cleft palate
• palatal muscles