Velopharyngoplasty with or without tonsillectomy and/or adenotomy--a retrospective evaluation of speech characteristics in 143 patients.
Velopharyngoplasty is a well-established means of speech rehabilitation in patients with primary or secondary velopharyngeal incompetence. Principally, the result of velopharyngoplasty may be influenced by tonsillectomy or adenotomy or tonsillectomy and adenotomy because of the anatomical and physiological relations. The data of speech characteristics from 143 patients were evaluated retrospectively to determine the influence of tonsillectomy, adenotomy and both operations--performed simultaneously or at different times--on the result of velopharyngoplasty. Special regard was also given to the age at operation. The best speech rehabilitation by velopharyngoplasty was found in patients operated on before school-age, a noticeable negative influence of tonsillectomy, adenotomy or both could not be demonstrated. Therefore these operations should be considered and performed before school-age in order to achieve the best social and psychological rehabilitation.
Eufinger
H
H
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Knappschaftskrankenhaus-Universitätsklinik, Bochum, Germany.
Eggeling
V
V
Immenkamp
E
E
D000233:Adenoidectomy; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*