Statement of the problem. Hypernasality resulting from velopharyngeal insufficiency or incompetency is a resonance disorder that has negative consequences for speech production and intelligibility of afflicted individuals. Purpose. The purpose of this prospective study is to ascertain if a palatal lift prosthesis with a generic silicon velar lamina, termed the Toronto Palatal Lift Prosthesis (TPLP), can assist velopharyngeal valve function to reduce hypernasality in patients. Methods. A prospective study of six patients treated with the TPLP was compared by the outcome measures of nasalance scores, perceptual evaluations, and patient satisfaction to those obtained using a contemporary acrylic palatal lift prosthesis. Results. The six patients had varying degrees of reduction in hypernasality and acceptance of the TPLP. Conclusion. On the basis of this preliminary study on the TPLP it is possible to fabricate a palatal lift prosthesis with a generic silicon velar lamina that reduces hypernasality in select patients.

Statement of the problem. Hypernasality resulting from velopharyngeal insufficiency or incompetency is a resonance disorder that has negative consequences for speech production and intelligibility of afflicted individuals. Purpose. The purpose of this prospective study is to ascertain if a palatal lift prosthesis with a generic silicon velar lamina, termed the Toronto Palatal Lift Prosthesis (TPLP), can assist velopharyngeal valve function to reduce hypernasality in patients. Methods. A prospective study of six patients treated with the TPLP was compared by the outcome measures of nasalance scores, perceptual evaluations, and patient satisfaction to those obtained using a contemporary acrylic palatal lift prosthesis. Results. The six patients had varying degrees of reduction in hypernasality and acceptance of the TPLP. Conclusion. On the basis of this preliminary study on the TPLP it is possible to fabricate a palatal lift prosthesis with a generic silicon velar lamina that reduces hypernasality in select patients.

Objetivo: Comparar os resultados de hipernasalidade, nasalância e função velofaríngea entre duas técnicas cirúrgicas que empregam o procedimento de veloplastia intravelar para a correção da insuficiência velofaríngea (IVF) residual: a palatoplastia posterior secundária com manobra de Braithwaite e a palatoplastia posterior secundária pela técnica de Furlow. Modelo/Participantes: Estudo prospectivo em 50 pacientes com IVF residual, que realizaram a veloplastia intravelar, tendo sido divididos em dois grupos: 31 pacientes submetidos à palatoplastia posterior secundária com manobra de Braithwaite (grupo B) e 19 pacientes submetidos à palatoplastia posterior secundária pela técnica de Furlow (grupo F). Local de Execução: Laboratório de Fisiologia do Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais-USP. Variáveis: Hipernasalidade, classificada perceptivamente por três avaliadores; nasalância, determinada por meio da nasometria e, fechamento velofaríngeo, estimada pela medida da área velofaríngea, por meio da técnica fluxo-pressão, em média, 3 dias antes e 14 meses após a cirurgia. Resultados: Verificou-se, após a cirurgia, redução da hipernasalidade e da nasalância em 45% e 65% dos casos, respectivamente e, melhora do fechamento velofaríngeo em 50% dos pacientes do grupo B. Para o grupo F, observou-se redução tanto da hipernasalidade quanto da nasalância em 53% dos pacientes e melhora do fechamento velofaríngeo em 46% dos casos. Diferenças estatisticamente significantes não foram identificadas entre as duas técnicas cirúrgicas para todas as variáveis estudadas (p<0,05). Conclusão: Os achados permitiram concluir que as duas técnicas cirúrgicas que empregam o procedimento de veloplastia intravelar mostraram resultados semelhantes na redução dos sintomas da IVF residual. / Objective: To compare postoperative outcomes of hypernasality, nasalance and velopharyngeal function between two surgical techniques that use intravelar veloplasty procedure for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) management: secondary palatoplasty as suggested by Braithwaite and secondary palatoplasty by Furlow technique. Model/Participants: Prospective study in 50 patients with VPI, underwent intravelar veloplasty divided into two groups: 31 patients underwent secondary palatoplasty as suggested by Braithwaite (group B) and 19 patients underwent secondary palatoplasty by Furlow technique (group F). Setting: Laboratory of Physiology, Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais-USP. Variables: Hypernasality, perceptually classified by three evaluators; nasalance determined by means of nasometry and velopharyngeal function, assessed by means of velopharyngeal area measurement provided by the pressure-flow technique, 3 days before and 14 months after surgery, on average. Results: After surgery, reduction of hypernasality and nasalance was verified in 45% and 65% of cases, respectively, and improvement of velopharyngeal closure in 50% of patients in group B. In group F, reduction of hypernasality and nasalance was observed in 53% of patients and improvement of velopharyngeal closure in 46% of cases. No statistically significant differences were identified between the two surgical techniques for all variables studied (p<0,05). Conclusion: The two surgical techniques involving intravelar veloplasty procedure showed similar results in reducing VPI symptoms.

Objetivo: Analisar a atividade velofaríngea de indivíduos com disfunção velofaríngea (DVF) aferida por rinometria acústica (RA), comparativamente à aferida por rinomanometria (RM) e videofluoroscopia (VF). Método: Estudo clínico prospectivo em 41 adultos, de ambos os sexos, com fissura de palato±lábio previamente operada e DVF residual ao exame clínico. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: 1) RA (n=41): variação volumétrica da nasofaringe (V) na produção dos fones [k], [p], [t], relativamente ao repouso (redução <3cm3 considerada como ausência de atividade velofaríngea). 2) RM (n=41): área do orifício velofaríngeo (área >0,05cm2 considerada como fechamento inadequado), 3) VF (n=9): extensão da falha velar e do movimento faríngeo (falha >2mm e movimento <50% considerados como inadequados). Para a comparação das três técnicas utilizou-se o fone [p]. Resultados: Observou-se um V médio de 18% na produção do [k], significantemente menor (p<0,05) que a redução de referência (30%), sendo valores de V sugestivos de DVF constatados em 59% dos casos. Resultados similares foram obtidos na produção de [p] e [t]. Na RM, fechamento inadequado foi observado em 85% dos casos, e o V não variou segundo o grau de fechamento. Na VF, a presença de falha foi observada em 89% dos casos e não se observou participação da língua no fechamento. A concordância entre as técnicas foi de 51% (RA vs RM), 44% (RA vs VF) e 89% (RM vs VF). Conclusão: A RA não apresentou acurácia suficiente como método de diagnóstico da DVF frente aos dois métodos-padrão. Demonstra, contudo, potencial como método de acompanhamento dos resultados de intervenções clinico-cirúrgicas. / Objective: To analyze velopharyngeal (VP) activity of subjects with VP dysfunction (VPD) by acoustic rhinometry (AR), as compared to rhinomanometry (RM) and videofluoroscopy (VF). Method: Prospective clinical study in 41 adults, both sexes, with repaired cleft palate±lip and residual VPD on clinical assessment. Variables analyzed: 1) AR (n=41): nasopharyngeal volumetric change (V) during the production of plosives [k], [p], [t], relatively to rest condition (reduction <3cm3 considered as absence of VP activity). 2) RM (n=41): VP orifice area (area > 0,05cm2 considered as inadequate closure), 3) VF (n=9): velar gap and pharyngeal walls movement (gap >2mm and mobility <50% considered as inadequate). The plosive [p] was used when comparing the three techniques. Results: A mean V decrease of 18% was observed during the production of [k], which was significantly lower (p<0.05) than the decrease reported for normals (30%). V values suggestive of VPD were observed in 59% of the subjects analyzed. Similar results were obtained for [p] and [t]. On RM, 85% of the subjects had inadequate closure; V did not vary according to the degree of closure. On VF, a significant gap was observed in 89%; the tongue did not contributed to VP closure. Agreement between techniques was of 51% (AR vs RM), 44% (AR vs VF) and 89% (RM vs VF). Conclusion: Acoustic rhinometry had no good accuracy as a diagnostic method of VPD, when compared to the two gold-standard methods used. Nevertheless, the technique showed potential as a method for monitoring the outcomes of clinical and surgical treatment of VPD.

Introdução: A cirurgia de retalho faríngeo (CRF) é um procedimento indicado para o tratamento da insuficiência velofaríngea, cujo principal sintoma é a hipernasalidade. Para complementar os achados perceptivos dos resultados de fala da CRF são utilizados métodos instrumentais, como a nasometria e a técnica fluxo-pressão. Objetivos: Verificar os resultados de fala da cirurgia de retalho faríngeo comparando-se os três tipos de fissura labiopalatina mais incidentes: fissura de lábio e palato unilateral (FLPU), fissura de lábio e palato bilateral (FLPB) e fissura isolada de palato (FP). Material e Métodos: Estudo transversal, por meio da análise retrospectiva de registros pré e pós-operatórios quanto à avaliação nasométrica e aerodinâmica de 290 pacientes (73 FLPU, 105 FLPB e 112 FP) submetidos à CRF de pedículo superior. A nasalância (correlato acústico da nasalidade) é determinada durante a leitura de amostras de fala padronizadas, utilizando-se um nasômetro (Kay Elemetrics Corp.). Valores de nasalância superiores a 27% são considerados sugestivos de hipernasalidade. Na avaliação aerodinâmica, o fechamento velofaríngeo é estimado a partir da medida da área seccional velofaríngea (sistema PERCI-SARS), durante a produção do fone [p] inserido no vocábulo rampa, permitindo estimá-lo de acordo com a seguinte classificação: valores de 0 a 4,9 mm2=fechamento adequado, 5 a 9,9 mm2=adequado para marginal, 10 a 19,9 mm2=marginal para inadequado e 20 mm2=fechamento inadequado. O teste t pareado comparou os valores de nasalância pré e pós-operatórios em cada tipo de fissura labiopalatina. e os testes ANOVA e Tukey verificaram as diferenças entre os três tipos de fissuras labiopalatinas, nas condições pré e pós-operatória. A área velofaríngea pré e pós-operatória foi analisada por meio do teste de Wilcoxon, em cada tipo de fissura labiopalatina. O teste de Kruskal-Wallis verificou a comparação intergrupos antes e após a cirurgia. Resultados: Os valores médios de nasalância obtidos foram de 40%, 39% e 44% (Pré) e 25%, 24% e 26% (Pós), respectivamente, para FLPB, FLPU e FP. As proporções de casos com fechamento velofaríngeo adequado no pré-cirúrgico e fechamento velofaríngeo adequado no pós-cirúrgico, para os três grupos (FLPB, FLPU e FP) foram de 27%, 6% e 12% e 78%, 75% e 72%, respectivamente. Em ambos os métodos não houve diferença entre os resultados obtidos nos três tipos de fissuras. Conclusão: A CRF mostrou-se igualmente efetiva na correção da insuficiência velofaríngea nos três tipos de fissuras labiopalatinas analisadas: FLPB, FLPU e FP / Introduction: Pharyngeal flap surgery (PFS) is a procedure employed in the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency, which main symptom is hypernasality. In order to complement the perceptual findings of speech results of the PFS, instrumental methods such as nasometry and pressure-flow technique are used. Purpose: To investigate the effect of PFS on speech outcomes comparing the three types of more incidents cleft lip and palate: unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) and isolated cleft palate (CP). Methods: Cross-sectional study by means of retrospective analysis of pre- and postoperative findings on nasometric and aerodynamic assessments of 290 patients (73 UCLP, 105 BCLP and 112 CP) who underwent superiorly based pharyngeal flap surgery. Nasalance (acoustic correlate of nasality) is determined during the reading of standardized speech samples, using a nasometer (Kay Elemetrics Corp.), with a cutoff of 27%. In the aerodynamic assessment, the velopharyngeal closure is estimated from the measure of the velopharyngeal minimum cross-sectional area (PERCI-SARS system), during the production of the phone [p], inserted in the word \"rampa\", allowing to estimate it according to the following classification: values from 0 to 4,9 mm2=adequate closure, 5 to 9,9 mm2=adequate-borderline, 10 to 19,9 mm2=borderline-inadequate and 20 mm2=inadequate closure. Paired t-test compared pre and postoperative nasalance scores for each cleft typeand Anova and Tukey tests verified the differences among the three types of cleft lip and palate, in pre- and postoperative condition. Pre- and postoperative velopharyngeal area was analyzed using the Wilcoxon test for each cleft type. The Kruskal-Wallis test verified the comparison between groups before and after surgery. Results: Mean nasalance scores obtained were 40%, 39% and 44% (Pre) and 25%, 24% and 26% (Post), respectively, for BCLP, UCLP and CP. The proportions of cases with inadequate velopharyngeal closure preoperatively and adequate velopharyngeal closure postoperatively for the three groups (BCLP, UCLP and CP), were 67%, 69% and 80% and 78%, 75% and 72%. In both methods there was no difference in the outcomes between cleft type. Conclusion: PFS was shown to be equally effective in correcting velopharyngeal insufficiency in the three types of cleft lip and palate analyzed: BCLP, UCLP and CP

Abstract Children born with a cleft lip and or palate face numerous difficulties during the course of their lives. Their families must respond to the challenge of a high level of burden of care required by these patients. The studies listed in this thesis benchmark the characteristics of cleft lip and palate in a cohort of patients living in Northern Finland. These studies strived to consider epidemiologic aspects, speech results, palatal fistula rates and hearing outcome. Records of a total of 214 patients treated between 1998-2011 at the Oulu Cleft Lip and Palate Center were assessed on a retrospective basis. Cleft palate (68.7%) was most frequent followed by cleft lip and palate (18.7%) and cleft lip with or without alveolus (12.6%). Cleft palate occurred more frequently in females (63%) and cleft lip and palate was more frequent in males (62.5%) most commonly affecting the left side (82%). The overall frequency of speech operations following primary palatoplasty was 21%. This was significantly higher for girls (27%) than for boys (13%). Patients with cleft lip and palate were more likely to require speech improvement surgery (24%) than patients with isolated soft or soft and hard palate clefts (20%). The overall frequency of postoperative fistulas following primary palatoplasty was (9.6%). Patients with cleft lip and palate were more likely to develop postoperative palatal fistulas (20%) than patients with cleft palate (6.6%). The severity of the cleft, the surgical technique used to repair the palate, hearing outcome, and the need for ventilation tube placement were determined retrospectively. At least mild hearing loss was found in 3.3% of cleft patients. Neither the surgical technique used to repair the cleft palate nor the severity of the cleft were found to be significant factors related to hearing loss or to the number of ventilation tubes required. Hearing improved significantly with increasing age over a span of 6 years. / Tiivistelmä Halkiopotilaat kohtaavat elämänsä aikana monenlaisia haasteita samoin kuin heidän vanhempansa. Tämä retrospektiivinen tutkimus esittelee huuli- ja suulakihalkiopotilaisiin liittyviä näkökohtia Pohjois-Suomen alueella käsitellen epidemiologiaa, puheenparannusleikkauksen tarvetta, postoperatiivisten fisteleiden määrää sekä kuulotuloksia. Tutkimusmateriaali koostui 214 halkiopotilaasta, jotka olivat hoidossa Oulun yliopistollisessa sairaalassa vuosina 1998–2011. Tutkimusaineistossa suulakihalkio (68.7&#160;%) oli yleisin halkiotyyppi, huulisuulakihalkio (18.7&#160;%) oli toiseksi yleisin ja huulihalkioita oli vähiten (12.6&#160;%). Suulakihalkio todettiin useammin tytöillä (63&#160;%) ja huulisuulakihalkio (62.5&#160;%) pojilla. Huulisuulakihalkio oli useimmiten vasemmalla puolella (82&#160;%). Puheenparannusleikkauksen tarvitsi 21&#160;% suulakihalkiopotilaista. Leikkauksen tarve oli merkittävästi yleisempi tytöillä (27&#160;%) kuin pojilla (13&#160;%). Huulisuulakihalkiopotilaat (24&#160;%) tarvitsivat puheenparannusleikkausta todennäköisemmin kuin potilaat, joilla oli pehmeän tai kovan suulaen halkio (20&#160;%). Suulaen primaarisulun jälkeen postoperatiivisten fisteleiden ilmaantuvuus oli 9.6&#160;%. Huulisuulakihalkiopotilaille kehittyi todennäköisemmin postoperatiivinen fisteli (20&#160;%) kuin suulakihalkiopotilaille (6.6&#160;%). Suulakihalkion vaikeusaste, suulaen kirurginen sulkutekniikka, kuulotulos sekä välikorvan ilmastointiputkien laitto selvitettiin potilastiedoista. Vähintään vähäinen kuulonalenema todettiin 3.3 prosentilla halkiopotilaista. Sulkutekniikan eikä halkion vaikeusasteen todettu merkittävästi vaikuttavan kuulonalenemaan tai välikorvan ilmastointiputkien laittotiheyteen. Kuulon todettiin paranevan iän myötä.

Velofarynxinsufficiens (VFI) innebär en nedsatt förmåga att under tal och födointag stänga till mellan mun- och näshåla vilket leder till ett avvikande tal. Operation med svalglambå är en metod som kan användas för att behandla VFI och tidigare forskning har visat goda resultat avseende dess effekt på talet. Dock menar vissa forskare att operationen kan ha negativa effekter och att den bakomliggande orsaken till insufficiensen kan påverka graden av framgång. Aktuell studie ämnade undersöka huruvida operation med svalglambå påverkade talet vid VFI samt belysa om några skillnader fanns mellan olika patientgrupper avseende operationens effekt på tal. De olika patientgrupperna var (a) patienter med spalt, (b) patienter med spalt i kombination med ett syndrom eller en sekvens och (c) patienter med VFI utan förekomst av spalt. Eftersom tidigare studier dessutom indikerat att postoperativ talbehandling hos logoped kan vara relevant för vissa patienter undersöktes det också under vilka omständigheter det skedde. Journaler, inklusive perceptuella lyssnarbedömningar av talet genomförda av logopeder, och enkätsvar studerades för de 66 patienter som deltog. Dessa utgjorde 43,1% av alla 153 patienter som genomgått operation med svalglambå på Akademiska sjukhuset i Uppsala år 2000-2011. Talbedömningar genomförda före och ett år efter operation visade att talet förbättrades avseende förståelighet (p&lt;0,001), hypernasalitet (p=0,005) och tryckreducerad artikulation (p=0,001) samtidigt som hyponasalitet inte ökade (p=0,55). Patienter med spalt i kombination med syndrom eller sekvens uppvisade större förbättring av hypernasalitet jämfört med de andra grupperna (p=0,037). 32 patienter gick i postoperativ talbehandling hos logoped och patienter med enbart spalt fick behandling i något högre utsträckning än patienter med gomspalt i kombination med syndrom eller sekvens. Kompensatorisk artikulation var den enda talavvikelsen vars förekomst kunde relateras till att patienten gick i postoperativ talbehandling. Resultaten indikerar att operation med svalglambå är en lämplig metod för att behandla VFI oavsett bakomliggande orsak. Nyckelord: Velofarynxinsufficiens, svalglambå, LKG, syndrom, primär VFI, talavvikelse, talbehandling / Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) refers to the failure of separating the oral cavity from the nasal cavity during speech and deglutination. This leads to increased airflow through the nose and is the cause of resonance disturbances such as hypernasality and nasal emission. Previous studies evaluating the success of pharyngeal flap surgery to treat VPI have indicated satisfying result although some studies stress side effects due to postoperative constrictions. The underlying cause of VPI has been shown to influence the postoperative result. With this background we investigated the differences in speech, pre-, and one year post pharyngeal flap surgery and compared the three groups (a) cleft palate, (b) cleft palate in combination with a syndrome or a sequence, and (c) VPI without cleft palate. We also investigated the co-occurance of postoperative speech therapy regarding different speech parameters and the underlying cause of VPI. 66 of the 153 patients who underwent a pharyngeal flap surgery at Akademiska sjukhuset in Uppsala 2000-2011 agreed to participate in the study. 32 patients attended postoperative speech therapy. The data was collected through medical records and a survey and included perceptual analyses of speech pre-, and post surgery performed by speech and language pathologists. According to the results from the perceptual assessment, the pharyngeal flap surgery resulted in improved speech; intelligibility (p&lt;0.001), hypernasality (p=0.005) and weak consonant pressure (p=0.001). Hyponasality did not increase significantly (p=0.55). Patients with cleft palate in combination with a syndrome or a sequence showed greater improvement regarding hypernasality (p=0.037). The only speech disturbance co-occurring with the presence of postoperative speech therapy was compensatory articulation. Patients with cleft palate seemed to receive postoperative speech therapy in a higher extent than patients with cleft palate in combination with a syndrome or a sequence. These results indicate that pharyngeal flap surgery is a successful way of treating VPI disregarding underlying cause. Keywords: Velopharyngeal insufficiency, pharyngeal flap, cleft palate, syndrome, primary VPI, speech deviation, speech therapy

Objetivos: Investigar a ocorrência de queixa respiratória nos pacientes com sinais clínicos da Síndrome Velocardiofacial (SVCF) submetidos à cirurgia para a correção da Disfunção Velofaríngea (DVF), comparativamente àqueles com fissura isolada de palato sem sinais da SVCF, além de verificar se a condição respiratória pré-cirúrgica interfere na escolha do tratamento cirúrgico para correção da DVF. Material e Método: Estudo retrospectivo e prospectivo com 30 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, que realizaram procedimento cirúrgico para a correção da DVF (veloplastia intravelar ou retalho faríngeo), sendo 15 com sinais clínicos da SVCF (grupo estudo) e 15 com fissura isolada de palato sem sinais clínicos da SVCF, pareado por sexo e idade (grupo controle). Um levantamento de sintomas respiratórias foi realizado utilizando-se três questionários, um aplicado antes e após a cirurgia (Caouette-Laberge et al 1992) e dois aplicados apenas após a cirurgia (Petry et al 2008, Berlin, proposto por Netzer et al 1999). As comparações foram realizadas por meio do Teste Exato de Fisher, considerando-se nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Sintomas como respiração oral e ronco estavam presentes nos períodos pré e pós-cirúrgico em ambos os grupos estudados, não sendo detectada diferença entre esses períodos quanto à presença desses sintomas, nos dois grupos. Diferença entre os grupos não foram constatadas em relação à presença de sonolência diurna excessiva, ronco, apneia, sono/fadiga, histórico de obesidade ou hipertensão arterial e risco potencial para SAOS. No grupo estudo houve semelhante distribuição entre a realização de veloplastia intravelar e retalho faríngeo, diferentemente do grupo controle em que prevaleceu a veloplastia intravelar, não havendo relação entre a frequência de sintomas respiratórios e o tipo de cirurgia, para ambos os grupos. Conclusão: Nos pacientes com sinais clínicos da SVCF, sintomas de respiração oral e ronco estão presentes antes e após a correção cirúrgica da DVF; não há diferença quanto aos sintomas respiratórios entre indivíduos com sinais clínicos da SVCF e indivíduos com fissura isolada de palato sem sinais da SVCF; a condição respiratória antes da cirurgia não interferiu na escolha do tipo de procedimento cirúrgico para correção da DVF. / Objectives: To investigate the occurrence of respiratory complaint in individuals with clinical signs of Velocardiofacial Syndrome (VCFS) submitted to surgery for correction of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD), compared to individuals without signs of VCFS, and analyzed if the preoperative respiratory condition interferes with surgical treatment planning for correction of VPD. Material and method: Retrospective and prospective study of 30 individuals of both genders, who were submitted to surgery for correction of VPD (intravelar veloplasty or pharyngeal flap), being 15 with clinical signs of VCFS (study group) and 15 with isolated cleft palate without clinical signs of VCFS, matched for gender and age (control group). A survey of respiratory complaints was performed using three questionnaires, one applied before and after surgery (Caouette-Laberge et al 1992) and two applied only after surgery (Petry et al 2008, Berlin, proposed by Netzer et al 1999). Comparisons were performed by the exact Fisher test, at a significance level of 5%. Results: Symptoms as mouth breathing and snoring were present in pre- and postoperative periods in both groups, without difference between periods concerning the presence of these symptoms, in the two groups. No differences were observed between groups as to the presence of excessive somnolence during the day, snoring, apnea, sleep/fatigue, history of obesity or arterial hypertension and potential risk to OSA. The study group presented similar distribution of intravelar veloplasty and pharyngeal flap, different from the control group that presented predominance of intravelar veloplasty, without relationship between the frequency of respiratory symptons and type of surgery, for both groups. Conclusion: In patients with clinical signs of VCFS, complaints of mouth breathing and snoring are present before and after surgical correction of VPD; there is no difference in the complaints of respiratory symptoms between individuals with clinical signs of VCFS and individuals with isolated cleft palate without signs of VCFS; the respiratory condition before surgery did not interfere with selection of the type of surgical procedure for correction of VPD.

Objetivos: Estabelecer a espessura (EPV) e a extensão (ETV) do véu palatino, a profundidade da nasofaringe (PNF) e a razão PNF/ETV para um grupo de indivíduos sem fissura labiopalatina (FLP) e sem disfunção velofaríngea (DVF). Analisar as diferenças nas medidas entre: a) padrões faciais tipo I, II e III; b) sexos; c) as medidas deste estudo e as normativas de Subtelny (1957), e d) as medidas deste estudo e os achados de Souza (2013). Material e método: A EPV, ETV e PNF, e razão PNF/ETV foram mensuradas para um grupo de 234 telerradiografias. As imagens estudadas foram obtidas de um grupo de brasileiros com idades entre 5 e 14 anos e foram agrupadas de acordo com o padrão facial I (N=105), II (N=69) e III (N=60) e distribuídas de acordo com o sexo feminino (N=130) e o masculino (N=104). Após escaneadas usando-se o software Dolphin Imaging (versão 11.5) as medidas de interesse foram estabelecidas usando-se princípios da cefalometria e a razão PNF/ETV foi calculada. As medidas foram comparadas com as normativas de Subtelny (1957) e com os achados de Souza (2013). Resultados: Entre os padrões faciais I, II e III não houve diferença significativa na EPV e na razão PNF/ETV; a ETV foi significativamente menor no padrão III nas idades de 6 e 8 anos; a PNF foi significativamente menor no padrão III na idade de 6 anos. Não houve diferença significativa entre os sexos. No presente estudo o véu palatino foi mais fino do que as normas de Subtelny em todas as idades; o véu também foi mais curto do que as normas entre 8 e 14 de idade; as medidas da profundidade da nasofaringe foram similares às normas com valores ligeiramente abaixo aos 6, 9 e 14 anos e acima aos 5, 6 e 10 anos; a razão PNF/ETV foi maior que a norma aos 9, 11, 12 e 14 anos de idade. Ao comparar os achados com os de Souza (2013) o véu palatino, no presente estudo, foi mais estreito em todas as idades e a extensão foi maior aos 6 e 7 anos e menor aos 12 e 14 anos; a nasofaringe foi mais profunda e a razão PNF/ETV foi maior, exceto aos 14 anos de idade. Conclusão: Normas preliminares com medidas da EPV, ETV, PNF e PNF/ETV foram estabelecidas para indivíduos representativos da diversidade étnico-racial dos brasileiros. Achados diferentes dos de Subtelny (1957) e de Souza (2013) sugerem que brasileiros apresentam variações nas medidas com importância para a interpretação clínica e uso destas informações no processo diagnóstico e na definição da melhor conduta para correção da DVF. / Objectives: To establish velar width (VW), velar length (VL), depth of nasopharynx (DN) and the ration DN/VL for a group of individuals without cleft lip and palate (CLP) and without velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). To compare measures between: a) facial pattern I, II and III; b) between sexes; c) with Subtelnys norms (1957); d) with Souzas findings (2013). Material and methods: VW, VL, DN and ratio DN/VL was obtained for a group of 234 cephalometric X-ray. The images were obtained from a group of Brazilians with ages between 5 and 14 years which were grouped according to facial pattern I (N=105), II (N=69) and III (N=60) and distributed according to sex, females (N=130) and males (N=104). After scanning the images using the Dolphin Imaging software (version 11.5), the measures were established using cephalometric principles and the ration DN/VL was calculated. The findings were compared to Subtelnys (1957) norms and to Souzas (2013) data. Results: There was no significant difference in VW and ration DN/VL between facial pattern I, II, III; VL was significantly smaller for facial patter III at ages 6 and 8; and DN was significantly smaller for facial patter III at age 6. There was no significant difference for the measures between males and females. VW was narrower in the present study when compared to Subtelnys norms for all ages studied; VL was shorter in the present study when compared to Subtelnys norms between 8 and 14 years; DN was similar to the norms, slightly lower at ages 6, 9 e 14 years and higher at ages 5, 6 e 10 years; ration DN/VL was above the norms at 9, 11, 12 and 14 years. When comparing the findings to Souzas, VW was narrower for all ages; VL was longer at 6 and 7 years and shorter at 12 and 14 years; DN and the ration DN/VL were greater at all ages, except 14 years. Conclusion: Preliminary norms for VW, VL, DN and ration DN/VL were established for a group of individuals representative of the Brazilian Ethnic-racial diversity. Findings were different from Subtelnys and from Souzas suggesting the importance of considering these variations during clinical interpretation and use of this information during the diagnostic process and to identify the most adequate treatment for VPD.

Objetivos: Investigar a ocorrência de queixa respiratória nos pacientes com sinais clínicos da Síndrome Velocardiofacial (SVCF) submetidos à cirurgia para a correção da Disfunção Velofaríngea (DVF), comparativamente àqueles com fissura isolada de palato sem sinais da SVCF, além de verificar se a condição respiratória pré-cirúrgica interfere na escolha do tratamento cirúrgico para correção da DVF. Material e Método: Estudo retrospectivo e prospectivo com 30 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, que realizaram procedimento cirúrgico para a correção da DVF (veloplastia intravelar ou retalho faríngeo), sendo 15 com sinais clínicos da SVCF (grupo estudo) e 15 com fissura isolada de palato sem sinais clínicos da SVCF, pareado por sexo e idade (grupo controle). Um levantamento de sintomas respiratórias foi realizado utilizando-se três questionários, um aplicado antes e após a cirurgia (Caouette-Laberge et al 1992) e dois aplicados apenas após a cirurgia (Petry et al 2008, Berlin, proposto por Netzer et al 1999). As comparações foram realizadas por meio do Teste Exato de Fisher, considerando-se nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Sintomas como respiração oral e ronco estavam presentes nos períodos pré e pós-cirúrgico em ambos os grupos estudados, não sendo detectada diferença entre esses períodos quanto à presença desses sintomas, nos dois grupos. Diferença entre os grupos não foram constatadas em relação à presença de sonolência diurna excessiva, ronco, apneia, sono/fadiga, histórico de obesidade ou hipertensão arterial e risco potencial para SAOS. No grupo estudo houve semelhante distribuição entre a realização de veloplastia intravelar e retalho faríngeo, diferentemente do grupo controle em que prevaleceu a veloplastia intravelar, não havendo relação entre a frequência de sintomas respiratórios e o tipo de cirurgia, para ambos os grupos. Conclusão: Nos pacientes com sinais clínicos da SVCF, sintomas de respiração oral e ronco estão presentes antes e após a correção cirúrgica da DVF; não há diferença quanto aos sintomas respiratórios entre indivíduos com sinais clínicos da SVCF e indivíduos com fissura isolada de palato sem sinais da SVCF; a condição respiratória antes da cirurgia não interferiu na escolha do tipo de procedimento cirúrgico para correção da DVF. / Objectives: To investigate the occurrence of respiratory complaint in individuals with clinical signs of Velocardiofacial Syndrome (VCFS) submitted to surgery for correction of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD), compared to individuals without signs of VCFS, and analyzed if the preoperative respiratory condition interferes with surgical treatment planning for correction of VPD. Material and method: Retrospective and prospective study of 30 individuals of both genders, who were submitted to surgery for correction of VPD (intravelar veloplasty or pharyngeal flap), being 15 with clinical signs of VCFS (study group) and 15 with isolated cleft palate without clinical signs of VCFS, matched for gender and age (control group). A survey of respiratory complaints was performed using three questionnaires, one applied before and after surgery (Caouette-Laberge et al 1992) and two applied only after surgery (Petry et al 2008, Berlin, proposed by Netzer et al 1999). Comparisons were performed by the exact Fisher test, at a significance level of 5%. Results: Symptoms as mouth breathing and snoring were present in pre- and postoperative periods in both groups, without difference between periods concerning the presence of these symptoms, in the two groups. No differences were observed between groups as to the presence of excessive somnolence during the day, snoring, apnea, sleep/fatigue, history of obesity or arterial hypertension and potential risk to OSA. The study group presented similar distribution of intravelar veloplasty and pharyngeal flap, different from the control group that presented predominance of intravelar veloplasty, without relationship between the frequency of respiratory symptons and type of surgery, for both groups. Conclusion: In patients with clinical signs of VCFS, complaints of mouth breathing and snoring are present before and after surgical correction of VPD; there is no difference in the complaints of respiratory symptoms between individuals with clinical signs of VCFS and individuals with isolated cleft palate without signs of VCFS; the respiratory condition before surgery did not interfere with selection of the type of surgical procedure for correction of VPD.