Process and outcome study of multidisciplinary prosthetic treatment for velopharyngeal dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Speech-language pathology
• Prosthodontics
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Prosthetic management for velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) is established but lacks systematic outcome studies.
• An interdisciplinary team approach (speech-language therapist, dental specialist, maxillofacial technician) with nasendoscopy-guided fitting offers a defined clinical pathway.
• Previous research on prosthetic appliance effectiveness is limited and largely anecdotal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the diagnostic and fabrication process for prosthetic management of VPD.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of prosthetic intervention using nasendoscopy, objective speech analysis, and nasometry.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective audit of 16 patients who successfully completed prosthetic treatment for VPD.
• Intervention involved a multidisciplinary team including speech-language therapists, dental specialists, and maxillofacial technicians.
• Outcomes assessed via nasendoscopy, blind perceptual speech analysis, and nasometry.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements observed in hypernasality and audible nasal emission post-treatment.
• Nasometry results showed significant positive changes.
• The study successfully audited the outcomes of this prosthetic intervention.

Conclusions:

• Prosthetic management is an effective alternative or adjunct to surgery for VPD, particularly when surgery is contraindicated or as a temporary measure.
• This treatment necessitates a collaborative interdisciplinary team approach.
• The findings support the use of prosthetic devices in managing VPD.