The use of injectable collagen to correct velopharyngeal insufficiency.

The use of Gax collagen is proposed for correcting velopharyngeal insufficiency with posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation. The indications for this procedure are velopharyngeal insufficiency that remains after surgery and treatment by a speech pathologist. The procedure is also valuable after velum paralysis. Collagen (2.5-5cc) is injected through a device designed for vocal-fold and laryngeal rehabilitation. Several injection points are necessary to raise a good Passavant's ridge. The muscular activity of the posterior pharyngeal wall models the collagen pad for the first 3 weeks; afterwards, the collagen shape remains unchanged due to its integration in the host tissues. At this time, five patients have been injected with Gax collagen and have improved. The oldest case dates from 28 months ago; the most recent dates from 8 months ago. There were no adverse reactions, and the results remain stable at the present time.