Management of Persistent Hypernasality After Pharyngeal Flap: A Novel V-to-Y Revision Procedure to Tighten the Lateral Ports

Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2024 Dec 8:10556656241305227. doi: 10.1177/10556656241305227. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is common in patients with a repaired cleft palate. 18% to 20% of patients who undergo superiorly based pharyngeal flap for VPI may require a revision procedure due to persistent hypernasality.

One solution to persistent VPI is flap revision, but there is a paucity of revision techniques described in the literature.

We present a novel technique for pharyngeal flap revision utilizing a V-to-Y procedure to tighten the lateral pharyngeal ports.

Keywords: cleft palate; pharyngeal flap; speech disorders; velopharyngeal insufficiency.