[Pharyngoplasty using tunneled palatopharyngeal flap]

A description of the modified pharyngoplasty using tunneled palatopharyngeal flap in 46 patients with cleft palate and velopharyngeal incompetence is given and the follow-up results of 32 patients between 6 months and 1 year after operation are presented. The rate of velopharyngeal competence and mild incompetence (velopharyngeal gap less than 4 mm) is 88.2% confirmed by nasopharyngoscopic examination, and 83.3% with lateral X-ray radiograph. The results show that this modified pharyngoplasty accords with the velopharyngeal anatomy and physiology. We believe this operation is effective in reconstructing a new palatopharyngeal wall. The importance that the flap is placed near the site of velopharyngeal closure is emphasized. The design, advantages and disadvantages are discussed in detail.