Nasal airway blockage caused by displaced premaxilla mimicking posterior pharyngeal flap obstruction.

Signs of nasal airway obstruction, ranging from hyponasality, snoring, and inability to blow the nose to cardiorespiratory compromise, have been reported after posterior pharyngeal flap surgery. In some cases the symptoms are severe enough to require take-down or revision of the flap. Polysomnography has been used to document obstruction to nasal airflow and may be a guide in selecting patients for flap revision. This case report points out that in certain patients a particular coexisting anatomic abnormality--the locked-out premaxilla--may predispose patients to this symptom complex. In such patients flap revision may not relieve the symptoms, and careful evaluation of the lateral pharyngeal ports is recommended.