Significance of levator muscle sling formation in cleft palate surgery: evaluation by electrical stimulation

The effect of levator muscle sling formation in cleft palate surgery was evaluated by electrical stimulation of the muscle at surgery. Palatal movement before and after sling formation was recorded through a force transducer. After muscle sling formation, the soft palate was elevated more effectively toward the retropharynx and its mobility increased remarkably. The surgical procedure, which had been proposed on the basis of anatomic considerations, was proved to be effective for improving velopharyngeal function.