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Effect of central inset pharyngeal flap for velopharyngeal insufficiency on eustachian tube function
Author(s) -
ElAnwar Mohammad Waheed,
Amer Hazem Saeed,
Elnashar Ismail,
Khazbak Alaa Omar,
Khater Ahmed
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.25106
Subject(s) - medicine , palatoplasty , velopharyngeal insufficiency , tympanometry , otitis , pharyngeal flap , eustachian tube , surgery , otorhinolaryngology , effusion , dentistry , middle ear , audiology , hearing loss , audiometry
Objectives/Hypothesis The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the central inset pharyngeal flap, used for correcting persistent velopharyngeal incompetence after cleft palate repair, on Eustachian tube (ET) function. Methods This study included 28 patients who were diagnosed with persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency following primary cleft palate repair, together with otitis media with effusion (OME) and/or ET dysfunction that failed to improve after the primary palatoplasty and extensive medical treatment. Diagnosis of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in these cases was performed by video nasoendoscopy and speech assessment. Prior to and after surgery, patients were assessed through otoscopic, tympanometric, and audiometric evaluation. Results All postoperative otoscopic findings were significantly better than preoperative (P < 0.05) finding, except for tympanic membrane (TM) calcification (P > 0.05). Postoperative tympanometry revealed type A curve (normal) in 30 ears (53.6%), with significant improvement in ET function after this type of flap ( P < 0.001). Conclusion ET can be improved after performing the superiorly based flap with new central inset in patients with persistent VPI following palatoplasty. Thus, there is no need for surgical interference to manage OME in these cases, except after trying this technique. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope , 125:1729–1732, 2015