Nasalance scores in patients with a modified Honig velopharyngeal flap before and after operation.
Nasalance scores were measured with a model 6200 Nasometer in 28 patients with cleft palates and 8 patients with signs of velopharyngeal insufficiency but no cleft palate, both before and after a modified Honig velopharyngeal flap operation. The nasalance measurements were compared with subjective speech assessments. Patients were assessed as normal or borderline if their scores were < 30, and as having hypernasal speech if the score was > 29. The overall scores were improved by operation from a mean (SD) of 47 (13) to 26 (12). It was concluded that a modified Honig velopharyngeal flap is effective in eliminating hypernasality as defined by the nasalance scores.
Haapanen
M L
ML
Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology; D014833:Voice Quality