Background and Objective

A comprehensive and interdisciplinary treatment of patients with cleft palate is essential to ensure satisfactory long-term results. Adequate speech is one of the main goals because it allows each patient a proper adjustment to their educational and social environment. Velo- pharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) occurs due to anatomic changes of the velo- pharyngeal sphincter. Early and appropriate management of patients with cleft palate is crucial to prevent velopharyngeal insufficiency.

The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of patients with VPI that were detected and received treatment during their first 5 years of age at FISULAB (Rehabilitation Center for Children with Cleft lip and Palate), Bogota, Colombia, and to evaluate the effectiveness early treatment.

Methods

Descriptive study of case series. Patients included were diagnosed with cleft palate and treated exclusively in FISULAB, following the treatment protocol of this institution. A total of 972 patients were treated and 118 patients met the inclusion criteria.

Results

A total of 118 patients with cleft palate, with or without associated cleft lip, were treated following the institutional protocol: 17 (14.4%) had VPI (8 male and 9 female). Of the patients who had VPI, 4 (23.5%) had a syndromic diagnosis. The incidence of VPI in our patient population was 11% with a resolution of 100% of VPI after surgical treatment.

Conclusions

Early diagnosis and interdisciplinary management of VPI are essential to ensure the success in speech rehabilitation in patients with cleft palate. A conservative and stepwise treatment of VPI has shown good results, minimizing complications

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