• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.193-198
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• 2014

Purpose: The present study was aimed to investigate the variation of soft palate morphology in different age and gender groups. The correlations of radiographic velar length (VL), velar width (VW), pharyngeal depth (PD), and Need's ratio with soft palate variants were also studied in the North Indian subpopulation. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 300 subjects aged between 15 and 45 (mean: 31.32) years. The velar morphology on lateral cephalograms was examined and grouped into six types. The results obtained were subjected to a statistical analysis to find the correlation between variants of the soft palate with gender and different age groups. Results: The most frequent type of soft palate was leaf shaped (48.7%), and the least common was crook shaped (3.0%) among both the genders and various age groups, showing a significant correlation. The mean VL, VW, and PD values were significantly higher in males and significantly correlated with the types of soft palate. A significant correlation was observed between the mean VL, VW, PD, and Need's ratio with various age groups, showing an inconsistent pattern with an increase in age. The types of soft palate, gender, and Need's ratio were also significantly correlated, with an overall higher mean value of the Need's ratio among female subjects and the S-shaped soft palate. Conclusion: The knowledge of a varied spectrum of velar morphology and the variants of the soft palate help in a better understanding of the velopharyngeal closure and craniofacial anomalies.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.655-658
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• 2012

Squamous cell carcinoma infrequently occurs at the soft palate. Although various methods can be used for reconstruction of soft palate defects that occur after resecting squamous cell carcinoma, it is difficult to obtain satisfactory results from the perspective of the functional restoration of the soft palate. A combination of bilateral palatal mucomuscular flap for the oral side and superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap for the nasal side were performed on two patients who were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate in order to reconstruct the soft palate defects after surgical resection. After surgery, the patients were followed-up for a mean period of 11 months. The flaps were well maintained in both patients. The donor site defects were epithelialized and completely recovered. Additionally, no recurrence of the primary sites was shown. Slight hyponasality was observed in the voice assessments that were conducted 6 months after surgery. No food regurgitation or aspiration was observed in the swallowing tests. We used a combination of bilateral palatal mucomuscular flap and superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap to reconstruct the soft palate defects that occurred after resecting the squamous cell carcinomas. We reduced the donor site complications and achieved functionally satisfactory outcomes.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.21-23
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• 2019

Recent studies have reported on the reconstruction of oral mucosal defects using acellular dermal matrix (ADM). This case report describes the reconstruction of a soft-palate mucosal defect using ADM. A 43-year-old man developed a $2.5cm{\times}3cm$ soft-palate mucosal defect after the removal of a lump on the soft palate andreconstructed the defect using ADM without further complications. Reconstruction of the soft palate with ADM could be more convenient than traditional methods including primary closure, skin graft, and local or free flap without complications.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.97-100
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• 2013

Schwannoma is a benign nerve sheath tumor that is composed entirely of well differentiated Schwann cells. They are frequently located in the soft tissue of head and neck region, but only a 1% of them are located in the oral cavity. Schwannoma arising in the soft palate is extremely rare. We present a case of a soft palate schwannoma and report this case with a literature review.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제53권6호
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• pp.364-367
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• 2013

Microvascular decompression is a very effective and relatively safe surgical modality in the treatment of hemifacial spasm. But rare debilitating complications have been reported such as cranial nerve dysfunctions. We have experienced a very rare case of unilateral soft palate palsy without the involvement of vocal cord following microvascular decompression. A 33-year-old female presented to our out-patient clinic with a history of left hemifacial spasm for 5 years. On postoperative 5th day, patient started to exhibit hoarsness with swallowing difficulty. Symptoms persisted despite rehabilitation. Various laboratory work up with magnetic resonance image showed no abnormal lesions. Two years after surgery patient showed complete recovery of unitaleral soft palate palsy. Various etiologies of unilateral soft palate palsy are reviewed as the treatment and prognosis differs greatly on the cause. Although rare, it is important to keep in mind that such complication could occur after microvascular decompression.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.25-30
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• 2012

Background : The soft palate functions as a valve and helps generate the oral pressure required for normal speech resonance. Speech problems and nasal regurgitation can result from a soft palatal defect. Reduction of the size of the velopharyngeal orifice is required to compensate for the lack of mobility in a reconstructed soft palate. We suggest a large volume folded free flap for reduction of the caliber and a palmaris longus tendon sling for suspension of the reconstructed palate. Methods : Six patients had total soft palate resection for tonsillar cancer and reconstruction with 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 standardized speech assessment tools: nasometer test, consonant articulation test, and speech acuity test performed for speech evaluation. Results : Mean nasalance score was 76.20% for sentences with nasal sounds and 43.60% for sentences with oral sounds. Hypernasality was seen for oral sound sentences. The mean score of the picture consonant articulation test was 84% (range, 63% to 100%). The mean score of the speech acuity test was 5.84 (range, 5 to 6). These mean ratings represent a satisfactory level of speech function. Conclusions : The large volume folded free flap with a palmaris longus tendon sling for total soft palate reconstruction resulted in satisfactory prognosis for speech despite moderate hypernasality.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.65-70
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• 2020

Myxomas in the orofacial regions are relatively uncommon tumors that occur in two different types: odontogenic myxomas and soft tissue myxomas. Odontogenic myxomas, derived from the mesenchymal cells such as papillae, dental follicles, or periodontal ligament, occur commonly in the maxilla and mandible. However, soft tissue myxomas in the oral cavity are rare and have been previously reported in only about 30 cases of unknown pathogenesis. The aim of this case report is to present a new case of oral soft tissue myxoma in a 37-year-old male patient who presented with a soft, exophytic round mass on the palate.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.450-454
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• 2002

연구개 및 구인두부의 열창은 아동들에게 상대적으로 흔한 편이다. 연구개 열창은 신생아부터 노년층까지 모든 연령에 걸쳐 보고된 바 있지만, 어린 아동들 특히 걸음마를 막 시작한 아동들에게서 많이 보고되었다. 이러한 아동들의 경우 입안에 물체를 물고 돌아다니다가 넘어지거나 떨어져서 구인두부 열창을 입게되는 경우가 많은 편이고, 주로 4세 정도에 호발하며, 여아보다는 남아에서 더 이러한 외상이 자주 나타나는 것으로 보고되었다. 주로 손상을 입는 연구개 및 구인두 부위는 좌측 편도 상단부위이며, 관통상없이 선상이나 표면상의 손상으로 주로 발생하고, 손상 형태는 U자 형태 혹은 V자 형태로 나타난다. 이러한 외상에 있어 관통상이나, 크게 조직편이 이개된 경우를 제외하고는 봉합술은 필요하지 않으며, 오히려 이러한 봉합술이 외상부위의 치유를 지연시킬 수 있다. 본 창상의 치유에는 3주정도 소요되며 상흔은 거의 남지 않는 것으로 보고되었다. 그러나 연구개의 창상이 경동맥의 손상을 야기하여 신경학적인 합병증이 발생했다는 보고가 있으므로, 2-3일간은 외상을 입은 환아에 대한 주기적인 관찰이 필요하며, 합병증 발생시 구강외과의 및 이비인후과의 또는 신경외과의와의 협의진료가 필요하다. 본 증례는 2세 및 3세 남환아로 입안에 이물질을 물고 넘어져 연구개의 열창을 입은 경우로 비외과적인 처치 및 신경학적인 평가 후 완치되어 이에 보고하는 바이다.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제14권1_2호
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• pp.1-21
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• 1992

In order to find the causes of velopharyngeal incompetency after primary palatorrhaphy in cleft patients, we analyzed the form and function of the velopharyngeal space of fifteen operated cleft palate patients and five normal subjects. The velopharyngeal function was evaluated by lateral cephalometric radiography, velopharyngography and hypernasality cul-de-sac test. The obtained results were as follows. 1. The rate of velopharyngeal incompetency was twenty percent, three of the fifteen operated patients. Two of them were complete cleft palate and the other was incomplete one. 2. The length of soft palate and levator eminence were longer in normal group than those of good speech group and complete cleft palate group during phonation of /i/ (P<0.05). The lengthening rate of soft palate was smaller in good and poor speech group than that of normal group(P<0.05), and, reduced in order, normal group, complete cleft palate group and incomplete palate group(P<0.05). 3. The nasopharyngeal distance had no significant difference between all groups at rest, but, smaller in normal group than that of both cleft palate group(P<0.05), good speech group and poor speech group(P<0.05) during phonation of /i/ The difference in nasopharyngeal distance between rest and /i/ phonation was greater in normal group than that of both cleft palate group, good speech group and poor speech group. 4. The moving distance of sop palate reduced in order, normal group, incomplete cleft palate group, complete cleft palate group(P<0.05). 5. The distance between lateral pharyngeal wall had no significant difference between all groups in rest, but, smaller than that of complete cleft palate group in normal group(P<0.01) and increased in order normal group, good speech group, poor speech group(P<0.01) during phonation of /a/. The mobility of lateral wall was reduced in order, normal group, good speech group poor speech group(P<0. 01). 6. There was low corelationship between the mobility of lateral pharyngeal wall and soft palate. Therfore, it suggest that the movements of lateral pharyngeal wall and soft palate occurs independently.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.207-210
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• 2008

The purpose of this paper is to review our experience with mucoepidermoid carcinoma(MEC), a rare tumour in minor salivary glands, in a paediatric patients. 15-year-old boy was noted to have a irregular round mass appearing atthe soft palate just to the right of the mid-line. A computed tomographic(CT) scan showed a palatal mass limited to soft palate with no bony erosion. The lesion was curetted and debulked. Pathology was reported as an intermediate-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and the patient was considered to radiation therapy institution for further treatment. To date, patients remain free of disease. Wide local excision is the treatment of choice for low to intermediate grade MEC of the minor salivary glands in paediatric patients.