title: Effect of central inset pharyngeal flap for velopharyngeal insufficiency on eustachian tube function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the central inset pharyngeal flap, used for correcting persistent velopharyngeal incompetence after cleft palate repair, on Eustachian tube (ET) function.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 28 patients who were diagnosed with persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency following primary cleft palate repair, together with otitis media with effusion (OME) and/or ET dysfunction that failed to improve after the primary palatoplasty and extensive medical treatment. Diagnosis of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in these cases was performed by video nasoendoscopy and speech assessment. Prior to and after surgery, patients were assessed through otoscopic, tympanometric, and audiometric evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All postoperative otoscopic findings were significantly better than preoperative (P < 0.05) finding, except for tympanic membrane (TM) calcification (P > 0.05). Postoperative tympanometry revealed type A curve (normal) in 30 ears (53.6%), with significant improvement in ET function after this type of flap (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ET can be improved after performing the superiorly based flap with new central inset in patients with persistent VPI following palatoplasty. Thus, there is no need for surgical interference to manage OME in these cases, except after trying this technique.
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohammad Waheed
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: El-Anwar
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hazem Saeed
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Amer
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Elnashar
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: Alaa Omar
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Khazbak
authors.affiliation: Audiology Unit, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khater
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001299:Audiometry; D002648:Child; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D058753:Laryngoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Eustachian tube dysfunction; nasoendoscopy; otitis media with effusion; pharyngeal flap; tympanometry