СОВРЕМЕННЫЙ ПОДХОД К ЛЕЧЕНИЮ ДЕТЕЙ С НЕБНО-ГЛОТОЧНОЙ НЕДОСТАТОЧНОСТЬЮ В ПОСЛЕОПЕРАЦИОННОМ ПЕРИОДЕ

Velopharyngeal insufficiency is one of the main causes of speech disorders in children with congenital cleft palate, leading to social exclusion and disability of patients. This article describes an integrated approach to the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency, aimed in improving the anatomical and physiological function of velopharyngeal ring. Velopharyngeal ring is considered as the nervemuscle complex in the treatment of patients with this pathology. It is shown that a onetime complex treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency, estimated with the program «Compare» in the below-described clinical example, increased velopharyngeal closure ring by 25 %, thus eliminating nasality and significantly improve the quality of speech.Velopharyngeal insufficiency is one of the main causes of speech disorders in children with congenital cleft palate, leading to social exclusion and disability of patients. This article describes an integrated approach to the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency, aimed in improving the anatomical and physiological function of velopharyngeal ring. Velopharyngeal ring is considered as the nervemuscle complex in the treatment of patients with this pathology. It is shown that a onetime complex treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency, estimated with the program «Compare» in the below-described clinical example, increased velopharyngeal closure ring by 25 %, thus eliminating nasality and significantly improve the quality of speech

Comparative study among cleft patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency treated with speech therapy and pharyngoplasty

BACKGROUND: Inadequacy of speech and voice due to velopharyngeal insufficiency is a major stigma for cleft patients. Therefore, the study of this clinical condition is essential to improve the development and social relations of children with this ailment. This study aimed to assess alterations in the speech, velopharyngeal sphincter, and larynx of patients with cleft palate and cleft lip and palate who underwent to lip closure, palatoplasty, and speech therapy and developed transitory velopharyngeal insufficiency. Furthermore, these patients were compared with cleft palate and cleft lip and palate patients who developed persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency treated with lip closure, palatoplasty, speech therapy, pharyngoplasty, and complementary speech therapy. METHODS: From June 1997 to May 2002, 132 cleft palate and cleft lip and palate patients aged between 4 years 11 months and 19 years 3 months with transitory velopharyngeal insufficiency and persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency were assessed. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 44 patients, 18 females and 26 males, were divided into 2 groups: group I, 20 patients who underwent lip closure, palatoplasty and speech therapy; and group II, 24 patients who underwent lip closure, palatoplasty, speech therapy, pharyngoplasty, and complementary speech therapy. Speech therapy consisted of articulatory therapy of oral airflow, myofunctional therapy, rapid phonemic acquisition technique, and voice therapy. Surgical treatment consisted of producing a flap from the pharynx posterior wall of the upper pedicle. RESULTS: Alterations in speech, the velopharyngeal sphincter, and the larynx were more frequent in group I than in group II. CONCLUSIONS: Cleft patients with persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency should be treated with pharyngoplasty and complementary speech therapy in order to correct alterations in speech, the velopharyngeal sphincter, and the larynx.INTRODUÇÃO: A inadequação da fala e da voz decorrente da insuficiência velofaríngea é o principal estigma do paciente fissurado; assim, o estudo dessa condição clínica é fundamental, proporcionando melhor desenvolvimento das crianças e de suas relações sociais. O objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar alterações fonoaudiológicas, do esfíncter velofaríngeo, da laringe de pacientes fissurados palatais e labiopalatais tratados com queiloplastia, palatoplastia e fonoterapia, que desenvolveram insuficiência velofaríngea transitória, e fissurados palatais e labiopalatais, que desenvolveram insuficiência velofaríngea persistente tratados com queiloplastia, palatoplastia, fonoterapia, faringoplastia e fonoterapia complementar. MÉTODO: No período de junho de 1997 a maio de 2002, foram avaliados 132 fissurados palatais e labiopalatais que desenvolveram insuficiência velofaríngea transitória e insuficiência velofaríngea persistente, com idade entre 4 anos e 11 meses e 19 anos e 3 meses. Observando-se os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, 44 pacientes, sendo 18 do gênero feminino e 26 do gênero masculino, foram divididos em 2 grupos: grupo I, 20 pacientes submetidos a queiloplastia, palatoplastia e fonoterapia; e grupo II, 24 pacientes submetidos a queiloplastia, palatoplastia, fonoterapia, faringoplastia e fonoterapia complementar. O tratamento fonoaudiológico consistiu de terapia articulatória de fluxo aéreo bucal, terapia miofuncional, técnica de aquisição fonêmica rápida e terapia de voz. O tratamento cirúrgico consistiu de confecção de retalho da parede posterior da faringe, de pedículo superior. RESULTADOS: As alterações fonoaudiológicas, do esfíncter velofaríngeo e da laringe foram mais frequentes nos pacientes do grupo I, quando comparados aos do grupo II. CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes fissurados que evoluíram para insuficiência velofaríngea persistente devem ser tratados com faringoplastia e fonoterapia complementar para correção das alterações fonoaudiológicas, do esfíncter velofaríngeo e da laringe.UNIFESP Departamento de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e PescoçoUNIFESP, Depto. de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e PescoçoSciEL

Autologus fat grafting for mild to moderate velopharyngeal insufficiency: Our experience

The standard surgical treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) includes revision palatoplasty, posterior pharyngeal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty. These procedures are not without complication and can also be challenging to the occasional cleft surgeon. The greatest complication is iatrogenic obstructive sleep apnoea particularly in high risk patients. With the introduction of posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation, a lesser and simpler surgical procedure, various materials have been used for this purpose with limited success and significant complication rates. Augmentation of the velo-pharynx with autologous fat has been practiced for decades. Autologous fat has multiple advantages compared to other biological and synthetic materials used for augmentation of the velopharynx. Autologous fat is readily available, has low donor site morbidity, does not migrate, injects easily and is non-allergenic. The outcome of fat grafting for VPI is good and stable long term, albeit unpredictable due to the resorption of fat. The procedure may therefore need to be repeated in order to achieve the desired results. The aim of this study is to evaluate and document the outcome of autologous fat grating for the treatment of mild to moderate VPI in children at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital (RCWMCH). A retrospective folder review was conducted on 9 consecutive patients who underwent velopharygeal fat grating for the treatment of mild to moderate VPI at the RCWMCH from 2010 to 2014. All the patients had had primary palatoplasty performed previously and subsequently developed VPI. Patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively by two cleft surgeons, and an experienced speech and language therapist with the aid of laterl view videofluoroscopy (VF). Pre-operative and post-operative perceptual speech assessments were performed by a dedicated speech and language therapist. Two senior cleft surgeons performed pre-and post-operative videofluoroscopy interpretations. Eleven fat grafting procedures were performed on 9 patients and an average of 5.64 ml (range 1 ml to 7 ml) of autologous fat was transferred to the velopharynx. The average age at the time of operation was 6.5 years (range 3 years to 14 years) with a follow-up period of 18 months (range 7 months to 34 months). Most of the patients (7 out of 9) showed improved speech following fat grafting. There were no complications related to the fat grafting procedure. This small study suggests that fat grafting is an effective, minimally invasive surgical alternative for the treatment of mild to moderate VPI and to our knowledge, is the first reported study from Africa

Histology of the Pharyngeal Constrictor Muscle in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome and Non-Syndromic Children with Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

Plastic surgeons aim to correct velopharyngeal insufficiency manifest by hypernasal speech with a velopharyngoplasty. The functional outcome has been reported to be worse in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome than in patients without the syndrome. A possible explanation is the hypotonia that is often present as part of the syndrome. To confirm a myogenic component of the etiology of velopharyngeal insufficiency in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, specimens of the pharyngeal constrictor muscle were taken from children with and without the syndrome. Histologic properties were compared between the groups. Specimens from the two groups did not differ regarding the presence of increased perimysial or endomysial space, fiber grouping by size or type, internalized nuclei, the percentage type I fibers, or the diameters of type I and type II fibers. In conclusion, a myogenic component of the etiology of velopharyngeal insufficiency in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome could not be confirmed

Treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency by autologous fat injection

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a structural or functional trouble, which causes hypernasal speech. Velopharyngeal flaps, speech therapy and augmentation pharyngoplasty, using different implants, have all been used to address this trouble. We hereby present our results following rhinopharyngeal autologous fat injection in 18 patients with mild velopharyngeal insufficiency (12 soft palate clefts, 4 functional VPI, 2 myopathy). 28 injections were carried out between 2004 and 2007. The degree of hypernasal speech was evaluated pre- and postoperatively by a speech therapist and an ENT specialist and quantified by an acoustic nasometry (Kay Elemetrics™). All patients were exhaustively treated with preoperative speech therapy (average, 8years). The mean value of the nasalance score was 37% preoperatively and 23% postoperatively (p=0.015). The hypernasality was reduced postoperatively in all patients (1-3 degrees of the Borel-Maisonny score). There were no major complications, two minor complications (one hematoma, one cervical pain). The autologous fat injection is a simple, safe, minimally invasive procedure. It proves to be efficient in cases of mild velopharyngeal insufficiency or after a suboptimal velopharyngoplast

Kirurško liječenje velofaringealne insuficijencije sluznično-mišićnim stražnjim faringealnim režnjem - je li to kontraindikacija za nosnu intubaciju? Pregledni članak

Velopharyngeal insufficiency is a disorder where the soft palate directs the air through the nose. It is often present in patients with previous cleft or short palate, but also in many other conditions. Symptoms are primarily to be found in speech, with very distinct nasal sound. After clinical evaluation and nasal endoscopy, surgery is considered. Several surgical techniques are in use, with posterior pharyngeal flap pharyngoplasty being most widely used. This method leaves the base of the posterior pharyngeal flap attached to the posterior pharyngeal wall, with two lateral ports on each side of the flap. Permanent nasopharyngeal obstruction is a very challenging pathology for anesthesiologists in case of mandatory nasal intubation since it is a relative contraindication for nasal intubation. Patients with previous palatoplasty will regularly appear in our routine anesthetic practice, in all surgical segments. The high risk of damage to the flap with possible bleeding can put the anesthesiologist in a very unpleasant situation if not aware of the permanent effect of this surgery. During preanesthetic assessment, if there is information on a previous pharyngoplasty, one should consider alternative options for nasotracheal intubation. All nasal insertion procedures must be either avoided or carried out with great caution, under fiberoptic visual control.Velofaringealna insuficijencija stanje je kod kojega meko nepce zrak usmjerava kroz nos umjesto na usta. Česta je kod bolesnika koji su imali rascjep nepca ili imaju kratko nepce, ali javlja se i u drugim bolestima. Simptomi su primarno govorne prirode, s vrlo izraženim nazalnim prizvukom. Nakon kliničkog pregleda i endoskopskog pregleda nazofarinksa odlučuje se o daljnjoj kirurškoj intervenciji. Danas je nekoliko kirurških tehnika u opticaju, no najčešće se rabi faringoplastika s odizanjem sluznično-mišićnog režnja sa stražnjega zida farinksa. Nakon ovog zahvata baza režnja ostaje pričvršćena za stražnji zid farinksa, sa samo dva otvora sa svake lateralne strane režnja. Trajna opstrukcija nazofarinksa zahtjevna je patologija za anesteziologe u slučajevima koji zahtijevaju nosnu intubaciju, jer nova poslijeoperacijska anatomija predstavlja relativnu kontraindikaciju. Bolesnici kojima je učinjena palatoplastika povremeno budu dio rutinske anesteziološke prakse u svim segmentima kirurgije. Visok rizik za ozljedu režnja uz popratno krvarenje može anesteziologa staviti u neugodan položaj ako nije upoznat s posljedicom koja bolesniku ostaje doživotno nakon operacije. Kao dio anesteziološke prijeoperacijske procjene, ako znamo da je bolesniku učinjena faringoplastika, svakako treba razmotriti alternativne načine intubacije na nos. Svi postupci koji uključuju umetanje predmeta u nos treba ili izbjegavati ili raditi krajnje oprezno, uz obveznu kontrolu fiberoptičkim bronhoskopom

A cleft care workshop for speech and language pathologists in resource-limited countries : the participants' experiences about cleft care in Uganda and satisfaction with the training effect

Objectives: workshops and specialized training programs are often inaccessible for speech and language pathologists (SLPs) based in resource-limited countries given the lack of supply, the long travel distances and the excessive participation fees. To stimulate life-long learning opportunities for all, this study described and measured the effect of a free, two-day cleft care workshop for SLPs in Uganda. The workshop included different topics related to the assessment and treatment of children with a cleft of the palate with or without a cleft of the lip (CP +/- L). Methods: The participants who presented during the two-day course were asked to complete a pre- and postworkshop questionnaire to evaluate their satisfaction. The pre-workshop form also included some questions concerning cleft care in Uganda. Both the pre- and post-workshop forms included three visual analogue scales to investigate the evolution of the participants' estimation of their knowledge regarding speech in patients with a CP +/- L and to assess the changes in their self-confidence in the diagnosis and treatment of this population. Results: seventeen SLPs completed the pre- and post-workshop questionnaires. In general, the participants were highly satisfied with the different themes covered in the program. After the training course, the participants rated their general knowledge about CP +/- L and their self-confidence in the diagnosis and treatment of children with a CP +/- L significantly higher than before the workshop. Conclusion: the vast majority of the SLPs reported that cleft care was not easily accessible in Uganda. The most commonly reported obstacle for cleft care was a lack of knowledge about this matter in the SLPs themselves highlighting the importance of the organization of additional education opportunities. The participants reported a significantly higher level of self-confidence in diagnosing and treating children with a CP +/- L after the workshop. The content of this workshop can form the basis for future learning opportunities for SLPs based in resource-limited countries

Exploring Communication Apprehension and its Relationship to Communication Attitude and Socio-Communicative Functioning in Children with Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

Myriad findings on children with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) indicate the potential for this population of children to experience feelings of apprehension specific to communication and the potential for other psychological and social difficulties. The purpose of the present investigation was to explore the construct of communication apprehension (CA) and its potential relationship to social and communicative functioning in a diverse group of children with VPI. Potential linkages between CA and multiple socio-communicative constructs including attitude, speech satisfaction, speech and language skill, social competence, and speech severity were explored in a cohort of children with and without VPI, followed by an in-depth exploration of these interrelationships within the VPI group. Two groups of children between the ages of 7 and 14 years participated in this prospective comparative study; 20 children who presented with VPI and 20 typically developing children without VPI. Children completed a battery of questionnaires: The Measure of Elementary Communication Apprehension (Revised) (MECA-R), the Communication Attitude Test (CAT), and the Speech Satisfaction measure (SS). In addition, parents of study participants completed the Social Competence Scale (SC) of the Home and Communication Social Behavior Scales (HCSBS), and (for parents of children with VPI), the Children’s Communication Checklist-Second Edition (CCC-2). Finally, perceptual evaluations of the speech characteristics of children with VPI were also gathered. Children with VPI reported higher CA than did the typically developing children. Correlational analyses revealed expected relationships between CA and social and communicative functioning for the combined cohort of children, but not so for the VPI group alone. However, significant relationships between communication attitude and social-communicative constructs were identified for both the combined cohort data and the VPI group only data. Unexpectedly, results of the present study found that communication attitude, rather than CA, was more strongly related to the functional abilities examined for both the combined cohort of children and children with VPI alone. Results of the present study suggest the presence of great variability in the social and communicative functioning of children with VPI. As such, comprehensive, yet individualized clinical assessments of social and communicative profiles of children with VPI should be sought in this clinical population

Velopharyngeal Insufficiency: Diagnosis and Management

Journal articles relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency were reviewed. All studies ascertained by PubMed search were included. Recent findings: Studies reported on the application of magnetic resonance scanning, reliability tests of the International Working Group diagnostic protocol, the use of nasometry, and techniques designed to assess the function of the velopharyngeal mechanism. Treatment studies focused on outcomes in small samples of cases and complication rates from pharyngeal flap. One study discussed ineffective speech therapy procedures. Summary: There were relatively few studies this past year. Those that were published were hindered by small and heterogeneous sample sizes and occasionally by inappropriate methods for assessing outcomes. None of the findings will have a major impact on the current state-of-the-art for diagnosis of velopharyngeal insufficiency. The speech therapy study has a very important message that should be taken to heart by all clinicians involved in the management of children with clefts and craniofacial disorders

Comparative Evaluation of Modified Furlow Palatoplasty and Intravelar Veloplasty in Cleft Palate Repair

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to comparatively assess the two techniques of cleft palate repair i.e. Kriens intravelar veloplasty (IVV) and modified Furlow Palatoplasty (MFP) for post-operative fistula formation, wound dehiscence at suture line, nasal regurgitation, velopharyngeal insufficiency, soft palate lengthening and speech.Method: This prospective study was conducted on 60 patients having primary cleft palate.  They were assigned either to IVV group or MFP group randomly so that both the groups consisted of 30 patients each. The two groups were operated under general anesthesia. Measurements at the time of operation were made with the help of soft ruler and Castroviejo caliper. Follow up of patient's was done 1 week, 1 month, 3 month, 6 months and complication is present was noted. Five year post operatively speech was recorded and assessed by the speech language pathologist. Post-operative Nasoendoscopy was also performed to assess the velopharyngeal insufficiency.Result: The MFP group showed more percentage elongation of the soft palate and less incidence of post-operative palatal fistula formation than IVV group. Total speech scores were superior in MFP patients but the differences were less robust. Velopharyngeal incompetence was present in both groups but was less severe in MFP group than the IVV group. Conclusion: The MFP group showed comparatively superior results than the IVV group but required an increased surgical time. Therefore MFP can be used as an alternative technique for cleft palate repair