title: Use of nasopharyngeal tubes as aids to lateral port construction and maintenance of the airway in pharyngeal flap surgery.
abstract: We suggest the bilateral placement of nasopharyngeal tubes of appropriate size as a simple aid in constructing lateral ports of the correct size when doing a superiorly-based, lined, pharyngeal flap for velopharyngeal incompetence. If one leaves the tubes in for 24 to 48 hours postoperatively, they are of great help in maintaining a clear airway during that period.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D012119:Respiration; D013518:Surgery, Plastic