Long-term outcomes of sphincter pharyngoplasty in patients with cleft palate

The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes of sphincter pharyngoplasties, including speech outcomes, revision surgeries, and postoperative incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Retrospective matched-cohort study SETTING: Two craniofacial centers in Los Angeles, CA PATIENTS: Patients (n = 166) with cleft lip and palate (CLP) or isolated cleft palate (iCP) who underwent sphincter pharyngoplasty from 1992 to 2022 were identified. An age- and diagnosis-matched control group of 67 patients with CLP/iCP without velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) was also identified.

The pharyngoplasty group underwent sphincter pharyngoplasty, whereas the non-VPI group had no history of VPI surgery or sphincter pharyngoplasty.

Postoperative speech outcomes, revision surgeries, and incidence of OSA were evaluated. Multivariable regression was used to evaluate independent predictors of OSA.

Among the patients in the pharyngoplasty cohort, 63.9% demonstrated improved and sustained speech outcomes after a single pharyngoplasty, with a median postoperative follow-up of 8.8 years (interquartile range [IQR], 3.6-12.0 years). One-third of the patients who underwent pharyngoplasty required a revision surgery, with a median time to primary revision of 3.9 years (IQR, 1.9-7.0 years). OSA rates increased significantly among the pharyngoplasty cohort, from 3% before surgery to 14.5% after surgery (p < 0.001). The average time from sphincter pharyngoplasty to OSA diagnosis was 4.4 ± 2.4 years. Multivariable analysis results indicated that sphincter pharyngoplasty surgery was independently associated with a fourfold increase in OSA (p = 0.03).

Although sphincter pharyngoplasty remains successful in improving long-term speech outcomes, persistent OSA is a sequela that should be monitored beyond the immediate postoperative period.