title: Asymmetrical soft palate cleft repair: preliminary results.
abstract: The reconstructions of the asymmetrical soft palate cleft is a surgical challenge when it comes to achieving symmetry and optimal soft palate muscular function. Three different versions of the intravelar veloplasty have been used: the intravelar veloplasty (1969) (type I), the modification according to anatomical defects (1991) (type II), and the modification using part of Sommerlad's technique and part of Ivanov's technique (2008) (type III). The perioperative outcomes of the type II and type III intravelar veloplasty were assessed and compared in asymmetrical cleft cases. Two hundred and seventy-seven soft palate clefts were reconstructed: 153 type II and 124 type III. Of these, 49 were asymmetrical (17.7%); 23 underwent the type II procedure and 26 the type III procedure. Of the type II procedure cases, 30.4% remained asymmetrical postoperatively compared to 3.8% of the type III cases. The uvula appeared subjectively atrophic in 47.8% of the type II cases and in 7.7% of type III cases. Oro-nasal fistula occurred in 13.0% of the type II cases and 3.8% of the type III cases. Speech results will only be assessed after 4 years of age. The type III modified intravelar veloplasty has had a major beneficial impact on patients who had an asymmetrical soft palate cleft.
authors: Facial Cleft Deformity Clinic, Department of Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Electronic address: kurt@butow.co.za.
authors: K-W
authors: KW
authors: Bütow
authors: Facial Cleft Deformity Clinic, Department of Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Engelbrecht
authors: Facial Cleft Deformity Clinic, Department of Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Naidoo
mesh_terms: D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: asymmetrical cleft; intravelar veloplasty.; soft palate cleft