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Prosthesis in velopharyngeal insufficiency: effect on nasal resonance
Journal of Communication Disorders
|November 1, 1982
Summary
Speech therapy alone often fails for velopharyngeal incompetence. A nasopharyngeal prosthesis significantly improved nasal resonance in 74% of patients, suggesting it as a more effective treatment for velopharyngeal inadequacy.
Area of Science:
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Prosthodontics
Background:
- Velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) and hypernasal voice quality are common after cleft palate surgery.
- Conventional speech therapy has shown limited success in achieving normal nasal resonance for some patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of nasopharyngeal prostheses in improving nasal resonance in patients with VPI post-cleft palate surgery.
- To compare the outcomes of prosthetic treatment with those of speech therapy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 80 patient records with VPI and hypernasal voice quality.
- Assessment of nasal resonance before and after fitting a nasopharyngeal prosthesis.
- Analysis of speech therapy duration and frequency (though unspecified).
Main Results:
- Prior to prosthesis fitting, patients received speech therapy with persistent hypernasality.
- Following prosthesis fitting, 74% of patients achieved normal nasal resonance.
- An additional 10% showed reduced but residual hypernasality.
Conclusions:
- Nasopharyngeal prostheses appear highly effective in restoring normal nasal resonance in a majority of VPI cases.
- Speech therapy may not be the primary treatment of choice for all cases of velopharyngeal inadequacy.
- Prosthetic intervention offers a viable solution for improving speech mechanism function and nasal resonance.