Predictions of modeled palatopharyngeal port openings under conditions simulating pharyngeal flap reconstruction

This study examined the estimation of modeled palatopharyngeal orifice areas under conditions similar to those created by pharyngeal flap reconstruction. Results indicated that accurate estimates of the palatopharyngeal orifice area can be obtained using Warren's pressure-flow approach when the calculated area is actually the combined area of the lateral palatopharyngeal port openings. Our findings lend additional support to the view that pressure-flow techniques can provide objective information about the degree to which surgical procedures provide palatopharyngeal competence for speech.