Morphological Evaluation of Changes in Velopharyngeal Function following Maxillary Distraction in Patients with Repaired Cleft Palate during Mixed Dentition

Abstract

Cephalometric measurements of the nasopharynx before and after surgery confirmed subsequent changes in VPF. These were suggested to be useful in predicting future VPF. When performing maxillary distraction in patients with cleft palate in the mixed dentition stage, and when velopharyngeal closure is found to occur by velar contact against the hypertrophied adenoid, patients should be counseled about risks of subsequent deterioration in their speech before surgery.