OBJECTIVE

(a) Pharyngeal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty are the procedures most frequently chosen by craniofacial surgeons for surgical management of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Both operations may be complicated by obstructive breathing and even sleep apnea. (b) The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a palatopharyngeal sling in the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency in cases with weak palatal mobility and its effect on breathing.

METHODS

Seventeen cases of post-palatoplasty velopharyngeal insufficiency were subjected to treatment by palatopharyngeal sling. This sling, created by elevation of bilateral myomucosal flaps formed of palatopharyngeus and superior constrictor muscles, passed through palatal split, sutured together and to a raw area on the oral surface of the soft palate. Pre- and post-operative evaluation was carried out by perceptual speech analysis and flexible nasopharyngoscopy. Polysomnography was used to assess the effect of the operation on breathing.

RESULTS

Complete closure was achieved in 13 cases (76.5%) while 4 cases showed incomplete closure (2 of them showed improvement when compared with the pre-operative video). The overall improvement of speech and velopharyngeal closure was 88.2%. Polysomnography showed no obstructive breathing.

CONCLUSIONS

Palatopharyngeal sling is a useful technique for correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency in cases with little palatal motion and it carries no risk of obstructive sleep apnea.