Consistency of velopharyngeal function assessment results after Furlow palatoplasty

The aim of this study was to assess the changes in postoperative velopharyngeal function (VPF) over time, and factors associated with these changes, in patients who underwent Furlow palatoplasty between January 2015 and December 2023. This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent surgery for primary cleft palate repair or secondary correction of velopharyngeal dysfunction. No speech therapy or other palatopharyngeal treatments were performed. VPF was evaluated during two follow-up visits at least 6 months apart, with the first no earlier than 6 months post-surgery. Data collected included patient sex, operative stage (primary or secondary), surgeon expertise, patient age at surgery, follow-up time points, and VPF at each visit. Of 490 patients identified in the medical records, 80 had completed two follow-ups and were included. Nineteen patients (23.7%) showed different results for the first and second VPF assessments. There was a significant difference in age at surgery between the patients with consistent and inconsistent VPF results (P = 0.028); those with consistent results were younger. Many patients did not show stable VPF shortly after surgery, regardless of whether primary or secondary Furlow palatoplasty was performed. Age at surgery was found to be correlated with the probability of VPF stability, with younger patients more likely to show stable results between the follow-ups. VPF may take time to stabilize after Furlow palatoplasty.