연구개 부위에 발생한 다형성 선종의 외과적 절제후 발생한 Velopharymgeal Insufficiency의 재건술

Reconstruction of velopharyngeal insufficiency due to surgical excision of pleomorphic adenoma on the soft palate : Report of one case

Velopharyngeal insufficiency renders a person incapable of speaking without a noticeable nasality. The emission of excessive air by way of the nasal cavity during speech results in a disturbance in quality and articulatory accuracy of the voice. Velopharyngeal closure is necessary to prevent regurgitation of liquids from the oropharynx into the nasopharynx during deglutition. The most common causes for Velopharyngeal insufficiency are cleft palate, paralysis of the palate, congenital shortining of the palate or excessive depth of the pharyngeal vault due to the basilar skull deformities, or defects in the soft palate. Diagnosis is established by a thorough ear, nose, throat examination, and an audiometric evaluation. Treatment of Velopharyngeal insufficiency consists of speech therapy, dental prosthesis, injections, implants, lengthening of the soft palate(palatal pushback), and posterior pharyngeal mucosal flap. This is a case report of Velopharyngeal insufficiency which was successfully treated with superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap combined with palatal pushback.