Velopharyngeal surgery: a prospective randomized study of pharyngeal flaps and sphincter pharyngoplasties

Residual velopharyngeal insufficiency after palatal repair varies from 10 to 20 percent in most centers. Secondary velopharyngeal surgery to correct residual velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with cleft palate is a topic frequently discussed in the medical literature. Several authors have reported that varying the operative approach according to the findings of videonasopharyngoscopy and multiview videofluoroscopy significantly improved the success of velopharyngeal surgery. This article compares two surgical techniques for correcting residual velopharyngeal insufficiency, namely pharyngeal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty. Both techniques were carefully planned according to the findings of videonasopharyngoscopy and multiview videofluoroscopy. Fifty patients with cleft palate and residual velopharyngeal insufficiency were randomly divided into two groups: 25 in group 1 and 25 in group 2. Patients in group 1 were operated on by using a customized pharyngeal flap according to the findings of videonasopharyngoscopy and multiview videofluoroscopy in each case. Those in group 2 received a sphincter pharyngoplasty also customized according to the findings of videonasopharyngoscopy and multiview videofluoroscopy. The median age of the patients in both groups was not significantly different (p > 0.5). The frequency of residual velopharyngeal insufficiency after the individualized velopharyngeal surgery was not significantly different between the patient groups (12 percent versus 16 percent; p > 0.05). It seems that customized pharyngeal flaps and sphincter pharyngoplasties performed according to the findings of videonasopharyngoscopy and multiview videofluoroscopy are safe and reliable procedures for treating residual velopharyngeal insufficiency in cleft palate patients.