title: Surgery for cleft palate and velopharyngeal dysfunction.
abstract: Cleft palate is a common congenital anomaly that, if left untreated, results in subsequent velopharyngeal dysfunction. After surgical repair of the palatal cleft, patients must be monitored clinically for any postoperative velopharyngeal dysfunction. If this sequela develops, patients must be evaluated in a multidisciplinary manner with diagnostic procedures performed and individualized care plans made prior to embarking upon surgery for velopharyngeal dysfunction. This article discusses surgical management of patients with cleft palate as well as the proper workup and management of postoperative velopharyngeal dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Center for Complex Craniofacial Disorders, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kirschner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D055158:Velopharyngeal Sphincter / Q000601:surgery