Cautery-assisted palatal stiffening operation and nasalance of speech

Velopharyngeal competence as indicated by nasalance of speech was tested in 18 men before and after a cautery-assisted palatal stiffening operation for snoring. Nasalance was measured preoperatively and postoperatively, with no significant changes noted following surgery. Although there were no objective or subjective changes in nasality of voice, these findings do not rule out all possible changes in velopharyngeal competence, since there were subjective complaints of nasal regurgitation and dysphagia.