title: Changes in speech following unilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in patients with hemifacial microsomia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe changes in articulation, resonance, and velopharyngeal function following mandibular distraction osteogenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a descriptive, post hoc study comparing the performance of patients on measures of articulation, resonance, and velopharyngeal function before and after mandibular distraction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were collected at a tertiary health care center located in Chicago.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical data from preoperative and postoperative evaluations of seven mandibular distraction patients were used.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outcome measures were number of articulation errors, severity of hypernasality and audible nasal emission, and velopharyngeal orifice size as estimated using the pressure-flow technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immediately after distraction, 28% (2/7) experienced a temporary deterioration in articulation and 42% (3/7) experienced a deterioration in nasal resonance. But by the long-term follow-up evaluation, all had returned to their preoperative levels. Pressure-flow test results generally support the perceptual findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients being considered for mandibular distraction surgery should receive preoperative and postoperative speech evaluations and be counseled about risks for changes in their speech following surgery.
authors: Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Marquette University and The Craniofacial Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201, USA.
authors: T W
authors: TW
authors: Guyette
authors: J W
authors: JW
authors: Polley
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Figueroa
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Botts
authors: B E
authors: BE
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D009666:Nose / Q000503:physiopathology; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011312:Pressure; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012212:Rheology; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology*; D013067:Speech Perception; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014833:Voice Quality / Q000502:physiology