Modified orticochea pharyngoplasty for treatment of unilateral velopharyngeal incompetence

Unilateral nasopharyngeal paralysis is a relatively rare cause of velopharyngeal incompetence. Few therapeutic modalities for this problem have been described. A modification of the orticochea sphincter pharyngoplasty was developed using only a unilateral flap for treatment of the symptoms of hypernasality and nasal reflux. This preliminary report summarizes the operative approach and the successful outcomes in 2 patients.