title: [Evaluation of velopharyngeal function using an aerophonoscope before and after surgery for snoring].
abstract: Following surgery for snoring, regardless of the technique used, velopharyngeal insufficiency remains an infrequent but disabling complication. In an attempt to assess the risk of velopharyngeal insufficiency, we used a new, simple, rapid, and noninvasive method of evaluating palatal function, the aerophonoscope. Pre and postoperative aerophonoscopic studies were carried out in 25 chronic snores undergoing a single step uvulopalatoplasty with a laser under local anesthesia. The aerophonoscope revealed signs of palatal dysfunction in 2 patients (8%) preceding surgery and confirmed the absence of palatal dysfunction in all patients following our technique of uvulopalatoplasty. We also present the aerophonoscopic findings in 3 patients with nasopharyngeal stenosis and 2 patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency following surgery for snoring.
authors.affiliation: Service d'ORL et de Chirurgie Cervico-faciale, Hôtel-Dieu, Nantes.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huet
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sene
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rineau
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mercier
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Legent
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beauvillain
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012913:Snoring / Q000601:surgery*; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*
vernacular_title: Evaluation de la fonction vélopharyngée par l'aérophonoscope avant et après chirurgie du ronflement.