Reconstruction of a Total Soft Palatal Defect Using

Abstract

Background The soft palate functions as a valve and helps generate the oral pressurerequired for normal speech resonance. Speech problems and nasal regurgitation can resultfrom a soft palatal defect. Reduction of the size of the velopharyngeal orifice is requiredto compensate for the lack of mobility in a reconstructed soft palate. We suggest a largevolume folded free flap for reduction of the caliber and a palmaris longus tendon sling forsuspension of the reconstructed palate.Methods Six patients had total soft palate resection for tonsillar cancer and reconstructionwith a large volume folded radial forearm free flap combined with a palmaris longus sling.A single surgeon and speech therapist examined the patients with three standardizedspeech assessment tools: nasometer test, consonant articulation test, and speech acuity testperformed for speech evaluation.Results Mean nasalance score was 76.20% for sentences with nasal sounds and 43.60% forsentences with oral sounds. Hypernasality was seen for oral sound sentences. The mean scoreof the picture consonant articulation test was 84% (range, 63% to 100%). The mean scoreof the speech acuity test was 5.84 (range, 5 to 6). These mean ratings represent a satisfactorylevel of speech function.Conclusions The large volume folded free flap with a palmaris longus tendon sling for totalsoft palate reconstruction resulted in satisfactory prognosis for speech despite moderatehypernasality