Alighieri Cassandra, Hodges Andrew, Verbeke Jolien, Kestens Katrien, Bettens Kim, Albite Rica, May Tan Raphaelle, Van Lierde Kristiane M
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Centre of Speech and Language Sciences Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Tebow Cure Hospital, Agdao, Davao City, Philippines.
Folia Phoniatr Logop. 2025;77(2):180-192. doi: 10.1159/000540308. Epub 2024 Aug 6.
This study investigated the effects of suspension pharyngeal flap surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) due to cleft palate.
Ten Filipino individuals (mean age = 20.63 years, range = 8.4-34.9 years) with a cleft palate who underwent suspension pharyngeal flap surgery for VPI were included in this study. Perceptual and instrumental speech assessments were conducted at two different time points: before surgery (data point 1) and after surgery (data point 2, range = 4-26 weeks postoperatively). Speech intelligibility in different contexts and satisfaction with speech were assessed by the participants themselves using a self-report questionnaire. Additionally, the risk for obstructive sleep apnea was assessed using the Berlin Questionnaire.
Velopharyngeal gap size significantly decreased after the surgery. Additionally, significant improvements in speech understandability and acceptability were observed following the suspension pharyngeal flap procedure. Besides, a significant reduction in hypernasality, nasal emission, and the occurrence of passive articulation errors was seen. No difference in the occurrence of active articulation errors was observed when comparing data pre- and post-surgery. The ten individuals reported to be significantly more intelligible in different contexts after surgery.
Improved speech was observed in individuals who received the suspension pharyngeal flap procedure. This procedure also positively influences an individual's intelligibility in different contexts in daily life. In individuals with persisting active articulation errors, post-surgery speech therapy will still be necessary.
本研究调查了悬雍垂咽瓣手术对腭裂所致腭咽闭合不全（VPI）的影响。
本研究纳入了10名因VPI接受悬雍垂咽瓣手术的菲律宾腭裂患者（平均年龄 = 20.63岁，范围 = 8.4 - 34.9岁）。在两个不同时间点进行了感知和仪器语音评估：手术前（数据点1）和手术后（数据点2，术后4 - 26周）。参与者使用自我报告问卷评估不同情境下的语音清晰度和对语音的满意度。此外，使用柏林问卷评估阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停的风险。
手术后腭咽间隙大小显著减小。此外，悬雍垂咽瓣手术后语音可懂度和可接受性有显著改善。此外，高鼻音、鼻漏气和被动发音错误的发生率显著降低。比较手术前后数据时，主动发音错误的发生率没有差异。这10名患者报告称手术后在不同情境下语音清晰度明显提高。
接受悬雍垂咽瓣手术的患者语音得到改善。该手术对个体在日常生活不同情境下的可懂度也有积极影响。对于持续存在主动发音错误的个体，术后仍需要进行言语治疗。
