Velopharyngeal dysfunction: recommendations for use of nomenclature

Area of Science:

• Speech-Language Pathology
• Otolaryngology
• Craniofacial Anomalies

Background:

• Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) encompasses various speech disorders.
• Inconsistent terminology like velopharyngeal incompetence, inadequacy, and insufficiency complicates diagnosis and treatment.
• Lack of standardized definitions impedes effective communication among healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current literature on velopharyngeal dysfunction nomenclature.
• To identify the lack of consensus on defining key terms.
• To propose recommendations for standardized terminology in VPD.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search on velopharyngeal dysfunction terms.
• Analysis of current usage and definitions in scientific publications.
• Synthesis of findings to highlight nomenclature discrepancies.

Main Results:

• No agreed-upon definition exists for velopharyngeal incompetence, inadequacy, or insufficiency.
• Current usage of these terms is varied and often overlapping.
• This ambiguity presents a significant barrier to interdisciplinary collaboration.

Conclusions:

• Standardizing the nomenclature for velopharyngeal dysfunction is crucial.
• Clear definitions will improve communication and patient care.
• Adoption of recommended terminology will enhance research and clinical practice.