Avoiding perils and pitfalls in velocardiofacial syndrome: an otolaryngologist's perspective

Velocardiofacial syndrome is classically characterized by clefting of the secondary palate, cardiac defects, learning disabilities, and facial dysmorphism. Knowledge of this syndrome is of significant importance to otolaryngologists because a failure to recognize it prior to head and neck surgery can result in serious iatrogenic injury, including velopalatal insufficiency and damage to anomalous carotid arteries. To illustrate these issues, we describe the case of a 5-year-old boy with velocardiofacial syndrome. We also review the literature on velocardiofacial syndrome, which is not very extensive, perhaps because it is often difficult to recognize.