연구개 근재배치를 이용한 입천장 성형술 후 수술 결과 및 언어발달의 평가: 5년간 관찰 증례보고

Cleft Palate Surgery with Intravelar Veloplasty: A Case Report of Clinical and Speech Analysis with 5 Year Follow-up Result

Intravelar veloplasty has been utilized in the cleft palate patients since 1931 by Victor Veau. The approximation of levator veli palatini muscles of both sides is the key procedure for intravelar veloplasty. The advantage of this method is anatomical repositioning of the levator muscle for palate movement which is critical for speech and deglutition. The shortcoming of intravelar veloplasty methods is a lack of palatal lengthening unless combined with V-Y pushback or Z-plasty. In this case report, 5 year follow-up of incomplete cleft palate patient with speech analysis and postoperative morbidity was reviewed. Patient had a difficulty in pronouncing labial consonant and required repeated speech therapy. Nasal emission was greater than a normal value. Hypernasality which was related with short palatal tissue was improved with speech therapy. There was no oro-nasal fistula or wound dehiscence in entire follow-up periods.