Veloplasty using the wave-line technique versus classic intravelar veloplasty.
OBJECTIVE
A well-known problem in primary surgery of the soft palate is its shortness and the deficit of local soft tissue. This article introduces a modification of the primary intravelar veloplasty, allowing lengthening of the soft palate, and compares this alternative technique to the classic intravelar veloplasty.


METHODS
The soft palate wave-line technique adds a wavy incision at the velar cleft margins to the intravelar veloplasty. In 24 patients with complete clefts of the palate, either the newly developed or classic technique was performed. Four years following primary surgery, speech performance and type of breathing were analyzed.


RESULTS
Even in wide clefts of the soft palate, repair was easily accomplished using the wave-line technique. Complete closure of the nasal, muscular, and oral layers was achieved, and no postoperative fistula was observed. An average lengthening of the soft palate of 56% (range 24% to 83%) was observed immediately following velar repair with the wave-line technique. Speech was significantly better in the wave-line group (p <.05). Furthermore, physiological breathing was observed more often in these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary repair of clefts of the soft palate using the wave-line technique is straightforward, safe, and easy. On the basis of the present results, this technique seems superior to the classic intravelar veloplasty.
Henkel
Kai-Olaf
KO
Department of Maxillofacial and Facial Plastic Surgery, Rostock University, Germany. Kai-Olaf.Henkel@med.uni-rostock.de
Dieckmann
Ann
A
Dieckmann
Ortrud
O
Lenz
Jan-Hendrik
JH
Gundlach
Karsten Kurt Helmuth
KK
D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010156:Palatal Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012119:Respiration; D013060:Speech; D016896:Treatment Outcome