The lateral port control pharyngeal flap: a versatile approach to velopharyngeal insufficiency

The surgical therapy for velopharyngeal incompetence has always been a challenging problem. In spite of the surgical choices of palatal pushback, pharyngeal flap, pharyngoplasty, muscle transfers, and pharyngeal wall implants, the reported failure rate has varied from 10% to 50%. A group of ten patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency is presented, two posttonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, three secondary to congenital deficiencies, and five following palatal and pharyngeal paralysis secondary to severe closed head injuries. The technique and experience with the lateral port control pharyngeal flap is discussed.