구개범 인두부전증의 성형술후 두부계측학적 평가

Cephalometric assessment after surgical correction of V.P.I.

This is to report 4 cases of V.P.I.(Velopharyngeal incompetency) treated with superiorly based pharyngeal flap operation and evaluated with rest lateral cephalogram and speech improvement. The results are as follows: 1. The RDUP (resting distance from uvula to the pharynx) and PAW (pharyngeal air-way width) were decreased to 37.5% and 32.5% coincidentally with verbal improvement after surgery. 2. The SPL (soft palate length) was increased to 7.5% of pre-op. SPL. 3. Hypernasality was improved remarkably in pronouncing the pressure sounds and the closed vowel sounds. 4. The rest lateral cephalogram (Youle s analysis) is useful to evaluate the velopharyngeal changes in V.P.I. patients.