Otolaryngologic Management related with Cleft Lip & Palate

구순구개열 환자의 이비인후과적 관리

Team approach for the management of cleft lip & palate patients is very important. Plastic surgeon, oral-maxillofacial surgeon, orthodontist, otolaryngologist, and speech therapist should be included in the team. Main role of the ENT surgeon may be variable and is up to the team characteristics. Main topics of ENT surgeons' interesting fields are evaluation and management of hearing impairment due to SOM, voice disorder, and velopharyngeal incompetency due to submucous cleft palate & still remained VPI after curative palatoplasty. Basic review of anatomy & physiology related with otolaryngologic aspect of velopharyngeal system was done. Diseases related with hyponasality as well as hypernasality were discussed. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods were discussed. Proper management of hearing impairment and speech disorders are important.