Objective and subjective evaluation of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD) following surgical repair of the cleft palate using the furlow palatoplasty-A new tool

Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) diagnosis and speech surgery outcomes are cur-rently based solely on subjective evaluation criteria consisting of perceptual speech assessment and functional imaging. This study describes an objective and comparable method in VPD as-sessment and investigates the concurrence between the objective and subjective evaluations. The present study included 20 paediatric patients presenting with VPD after primary repair (in-travelar 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 com- pared 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.(c) 2022 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by El-sevier Ltd. All rights reserved.