title: [Studies on factors affecting velopharyngeal functions of cleft palate patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between velopharyngeal functions and factors such as age at operation, cleft type, performing procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  FFT technique and velopharyngeal X-ray examination were used to evaluate the velopharyngeal functions of 82 patients. The relatively important factors affecting velopharyngeal functions were searched out through regression analyse and pearson correlation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant positive correlation was confirmed between AAO(age at operation) and A1/A2(velopharyngeal incompetence), P < 0.001. AAO also showed linear regression with A1/A2. Model was significant, P < 0.001. Quotation: A1/A2(velopharyngeal incompetence) = 0.005 852 x AAO + 0.961.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AAO was an important affecting factor on velopharyngeal functions. The earlier the cleft is repaired, the more normal velopharyngeal functions will be obtained.
authors.affiliation: Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland CH-3010.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ye-guang
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D010159:Palate / Q000503:physiopathology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*