title: [Pharyngoplasty using tunneled palatopharyngeal flap].
abstract: A description of the modified pharyngoplasty using tunneled palatopharyngeal flap in 46 patients with cleft palate and velopharyngeal incompetence is given and the follow-up results of 32 patients between 6 months and 1 year after operation are presented. The rate of velopharyngeal competence and mild incompetence (velopharyngeal gap less than 4 mm) is 88.2% confirmed by nasopharyngoscopic examination, and 83.3% with lateral X-ray radiograph. The results show that this modified pharyngoplasty accords with the velopharyngeal anatomy and physiology. We believe this operation is effective in reconstructing a new palatopharyngeal wall. The importance that the flap is placed near the site of velopharyngeal closure is emphasized. The design, advantages and disadvantages are discussed in detail.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: N X
authors.initials: NX
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*