Planificación quirúrgica de colgajo faríngeo a medida para insuficiencia velofaríngea secundaria a fisura de paladar: reporte de caso y revisión de literatura / Surgical planning of a tailor-made pharyngeal flap for velopharyngeal insufficiency secondary to a cleft palate: case report and literature review

Resumen La insuficiencia velofaríngea (IVF) es una de las principales secuelas estructurales tras la palatoplastía primaria en casos de fisura de paladar. La IVF se caracteriza por la ausencia de tejido suficiente para lograr un cierre adecuado del mecanismo velofaríngeo durante el habla, lo que conlleva a una resonancia hipernasal y la emisión nasal de aire durante la producción de sonidos orales. Al respecto, el tratamiento ideal para corregir la IVF es quirúrgico, dentro de los cuales el colgajo faríngeo de pedículo superior es uno de los procedimientos más utilizados en nuestro país. Para su realización es fundamental determinar el ancho necesario, lo cual puede ser determinado mediante una videofluoroscopía multiplano (VFMP). Por esto, con el objetivo de potenciar el trabajo multidisciplinario en la corrección quirúrgica de la IVF, a continuación, se presentan los procedimientos de evaluación fonoaudiológica, videonasofaríngoscopía flexible y videofluoroscopía multiplano utilizados para la planificación quirúrgica de un colgajo faríngeo en un adolescente chileno diagnosticado con IVF secundaria a fisura palatina operada. Además, se describe el uso de la VFMP en la planificación quirúrgica del colgajo faríngeo mediante una revisión de literatura.

Abstract Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is one of the main structural sequelae after primary palatoplasty in cases of cleft palate. VPI is characterized by the absence of sufficient tissue to achieve adequate closure of the velopharyngeal mechanism (VFM) generating hyper-nasal resonance and nasal emission during the production of oral sounds. In cases of cleft palate, the ideal treatment to correct VPI is surgery. The upper pedicle pharyngeal flap is one of the most widely used procedures. To plan it, is essential to determine the appropriate width, which can be determined by means of multiplane videofluoroscopy (MPVF). For this reason, and with the aim of promoting multidisciplinary approach in the surgical correction of VPI, the following procedures such as speech and language evaluation, flexible videonasopharyngoscopy and multiplane videofluoroscopy used for the surgical planning of a pharyngeal flap, in a Chilean adolescent diagnosed with VPI secondary to operated cleft palate, will be presented. In addition, the use of MPVF in pharyngeal flap surgical planning is described through a literature review.

Cephalometric predictors of hypernasality and nasal air emission

Abstract During times of increasingly recognized importance of interprofessional practices, professionals in Medicine, Dentistry, and Speech Pathology areas cooperate to optimize treatment of velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD), after primary palatoplasty for correction of cleft palate. Objective Our study aims to compare velar length, velar thickness, and depth of the nasopharynx of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) with the presence, or absence, of hypernasality and nasal air emission; and to verify if the depth:length ratio, between nasopharynx and velum, would be predictive of consistent hypernasality and nasal air emission (speech signs of VPD). Methodology Cephalometric radiographs and outcome of speech assessment were obtained from 429 individuals, between 6 and 9 years of age, with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate. Velar length, velar thickness, depth of the nasopharynx, depth:length ratio, scores of hypernasality, and scores of nasal air emission were studied and compared; grouping the radiographs according to presence or absence of hypernasality and nasal air emission. Results For the group with speech signs of velopharyngeal dysfunction (those with consistent hypernasality and nasal air emission), the velums were shorter and thinner; the nasopharynx was deeper and the depth:length ratio was larger than the group without hypernasality and nasal air emission. Velar length was significantly shorter in individuals with consistent hypernasality and nasal air emission (p<0.001) and with history of palatal fistula (p=0.032). Depth of nasopharynx was significantly greater in individuals with consistent hypernasality and nasal air emission (p<0.001). Depthlength ratio was significantly larger in individuals with consistent hypernasality and nasal air emission (p<0.001). A depth:length ratio larger than 0.93 was always associated with speech signs of VPD. Conclusion Estimated with cephalometric radiographs, a depth:length ratio greater than 0.93, between the nasopharyngeal space and the velum, was 100% accurate in predicting hypernasality and nasal air emission after primary repair of unilateral cleft lip and palate.