• Korean Journal of Cleft Lip And Palate
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.13-22
• /
• 2008

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.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.475-482
• /
• 2019

This report is a case of 76-year old male patient who had difficulty in swallowing, pronunciation and suffered regurgitation of food. The patient lacks uvula and both tonsils, had short palatoglossal arch and soft palate, as well as defective left palatopharyngeal arch. The height and width of the soft palate defect were measured by reconstructing the Computed Tomography (CT) image in three dimensions. Phonation and soft palate obstructing ability were examined by nasometry and nasal endoscopy. Evaluations on phonetics and swallowing were done and improvements were shown. The patient was satisfied with the results of treatment.

• Korean Journal of Cleft Lip And Palate
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 2012

Le Fort 1 osteotomy or maxillary advancement with distraction osteogenesis (DO) is main treatment strategy for cleft palate patients with maxillary hypoplasia. Maxillary DO allows greater maxillary advancement within physiological limit than Le Fort 1 osteotomy. Moreover, it is better for velopharyngeal function. However, there is a greater tendency for an increase in nasal sound when maxilla is advanced excessively. Therefore, the advancement of anterior maxillary segment using DO has been utilized. It offers advantages such as an increase in the length of the palate, a prevention of the change in palatopharyngeal depth, and a preservation of the velopharyngeal function. Moreover, it will obliterate the necessity of bone graft, and it prevents the occurrence of oronasal or oroantral fistula. Finally, it stimulates the regeneration of the soft and hard tissue of alveolus, and subsequently makes possible to place implant.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.161-165
• /
• 2018

This report is a case of 38-year old female patient who had a chief complaint about having pronounciation disorder after going under mass excision due to mucoepidermoid carcinoma. She was referred to department of prosthodontics, Yonsei university. Palatal lift prosthesis was fabricated which was then relined with tissue conditioner. Evaluations on phonetics and swallowing were done and improvements were shown. Tissue conditioner was replaced with heat polymerizing resin and the patient was satisfied with the results of treatment.