Speech Outcomes of Submucous Cleft Palate Children With Double Opposing Z-Plasty Operation

Double Opposing Z-Plasty 수술 후의 점막하 구개열 아동의 말소리 개선에 관한 연구

Background and Objectives : The operation Double Opposing Z-Plasty, has been used for improving VPI function in the submucous cleft palate. However, few reports on the effects of the speech change were presented. The purpose of this study is to compare the difference of nasality and nasalance, parents satisfaction between before and after this operation and to consider how much improvement in speech. Materials and Methods : Ten submucous cleft palate children who underwent double opposing Z-plasty were analyzed. We retrospectively studied nasalance, auditory perception (nasality) with hypernasality, patients satisfaction, speech evaluation by using charts review, video tape, telephone interview. Results : In 8 patients of 10 submucous cleft palate, hypernasality reduced and speech intelligibility was higher and mean 0.35 point was increased in the velum length after operation. After operation, nasality was improved (2.0 point) and level of nasal emission decreased. Regarding satisfaction of this operation, scale was mean 2.8 (5 point-scale) : 8 parents were satisfied in the resonance, 3 parents were satisfied articulation. The reason of dissatisfaction was mostly compensatory articulation. Conclusion : To improve of speech in the submucous cleft palate, speech therapy afterthis operation as well as successful surgery should be considered.