Assessment of velopharyngeal competence: a long-term process

This study compared longitudinally perceptual ratings of articulation defectiveness, nasality, and velopharyngeal competency in 13 subjects who required secondary palatal management after age 10 with a second group. Perceptual data when examined longitudinally did not adequately discriminate between subjects who at one time achieved velopharyngeal closure but who ultimately required secondary management and those patients who needed no further treatment. A decrease in articulation scores and an increase in severity of nasality and articulation defectiveness over time indicate that patients are at risk for secondary management. Evaluation of lateral x-rays indicated that those in the group that required secondary operations demonstrated more variability in velopharyngeal closure than those in the comparison group, who required no secondary operations and that adenoidal involution did not appear to be a significant factor.