1
|
Rizzo MI, Fallico N, Beneduce N, Ruoppolo G, Ciofalo A, Vagnoni S, Palmieri A, De Virgilio A, Greco A, Zama M. Objective and subjective evaluation of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD) following surgical repair of the cleft palate using the furlow palatoplasty - A new tool. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2022; 75:3448-3456. [PMID: 35768288 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2022.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) diagnosis and speech surgery outcomes are currently based solely on subjective evaluation criteria consisting of perceptual speech assessment and functional imaging. This study describes an objective and comparable method in VPD assessment and investigates the concurrence between the objective and subjective evaluations. The present study included 20 paediatric patients presenting with VPD after primary repair (intravelar veloplasty) of cleft palate. Our protocol was based on computerized analysis of voice parameters by means of an objective tool, spectrography integrated with Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP). The protocol also included perceptual evaluation by speech therapist and phoniatrician (consensus listening), and parents. This is a single surgeon, single centre experience and all patients underwent a secondary Furlow's palatoplasty. Assessments were performed pre- and postoperatively and upon completion of speech therapy. Results were compared using the two-tailed t student test for paired data. Statistical significance was set for p-values <0.05. Data analysis confirmed an improvement in velopharyngeal closure after surgery and speech therapy consistently with the results of perceptual evaluations. The results of the study confirmed the availability and reliability of an objective method for VPD evaluation based on the analysis of voice parameters with investigations that are simple and easily available in a hospital setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M I Rizzo
- Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Department of Plastic and Maxillo-facial surgery, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165 Roma, Italy
| | - N Fallico
- Spires Cleft Centre, Salisbury Oxford, UK
| | - N Beneduce
- Sapienza University, Department of Maxillofacial surgery, Viale del policlinico 155, 00161 Roma, Italy.
| | - G Ruoppolo
- Sapienza University, Department of Otolaryngology, Viale del policlinico 155, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - A Ciofalo
- Sapienza University, Department of Otolaryngology, Viale del policlinico 155, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - S Vagnoni
- Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Department of Plastic and Maxillo-facial surgery, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165 Roma, Italy
| | - A Palmieri
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - A De Virgilio
- Sapienza University, Department of Otolaryngology, Viale del policlinico 155, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - A Greco
- Sapienza University, Department of Otolaryngology, Viale del policlinico 155, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - M Zama
- Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Department of Plastic and Maxillo-facial surgery, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165 Roma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|