[The quality of velopharyngeal closure in relation to facial morphology in CLP patients].

Employing nasal endoscopy a follow-up study of 59 adult CLP-patients was conducted for the purpose of investigating velopharyngeal functions both during swallowing and during phonation of the letter "K". The results were subsequently compared with cephalometric values. In relation to phonation, the velopharyngeal activity could be subdivided into two groups, one demonstrating predominantly circular muscular activity and the other velar muscular activity. Both groups exhibited differing but, overall, a high quality of velopharyngeal closure. When swallowing all patients experienced complete velopharyngeal closure. It was striking to note, however, the slight muscular activity of the Passavant ridge during both swallowing and phonation. Significant relations were found to be present between facial morphology and velopharyngeal functions in terms of inclination of both the basis of maxilla and the mid-basicranium.