title: Trans-oral endoscopic cerclage pharyngoplasty for treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a common problem after cleft palate repair, it leads to speech distortion with consequent affection of speech intelligibility. Many techniques have been used in the treatment of VPI with varying results and complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of trans-oral endoscopic cerclage pharyngoplasty in the treatment of VPI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients with hypernasality after palatoplasty were subjected to trans-oral endoscopic cerclage pharyngoplasty. Pre and postoperative evaluation of velopharyngeal function were performed by using auditory perceptual assessment, nasometric assessment, and flexible nasopharyngoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant postoperative improvement of speech parameters measured with auditory perceptual assessment were achieved, and the overall postoperative nasalance score was improved significantly for nasal and oral sentences. Also, flexible nasopharyngoscopy showed significant improvement of velopharyngeal closure. No marked postoperative complications were reported apart from throat pain and dysphagia that disappeared with time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Trans-oral endoscopic cerclage pharyngoplasty is an effective method for the treatment of VPI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Beni Suef University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rashed
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Beni Suef University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naguib
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Cairo University, Egypt. Electronic address: mosabeez@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mosaad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdel-Aziz
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D004534:Egypt; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Cleft palate; Hypernasality; Pharyngoplasty; Velopharyngeal insufficiency