The Diagnosis and Management of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

연구개인두 폐쇄 부전 환자의 진단과 치료

Velopharyngeal insufficiency(VPI), characterized by hypernasal resonance and nasal air emission, is a speech disorder that can significantly compromise speech intelligibility. Cleft palate, previously repaired cleft palate and submucous cleft palate are associated with VPI. Less commonly, patients may acquire it after adenoidectomy with or without tonsillectomy or as a result of neuromuscular dysfunction. Comprehensive evaluation by a VPI team includes medical assessment focusing on airway obstructive symptoms, perceptual speech analysis, MRI and instrumental assessment. Options for intervention include speech therapy, intraoral prosthetic devices and surgery. Surgical methods can be categorized as palatal, palatopharyngeal or pharyngeal procedures. Each surgical approach has its strengths and limitations. Oro-maxillofacial surgeons are increasingly involved in the referral, evaluation, and treatment of velopharyngeal function. Therefore, understanding of physiology, anatomic structures, evaluation and treatment protocols in VPI is very important. This article presents protocol for evaluation of velopharyngeal function with a focus on indications for surgical interventions.