Morphological evaluation of changes in velopharyngeal function following maxillary distraction in patients with repaired cleft palate during mixed dentition.

Abstract Objective: To describe the morphological changes of nasopharyngeal components after maxillary distraction and clarify whether the morphological characteristics are related to velopharyngeal function (VPF). Design: Perceptual judgments of hypernasality and nasendoscopy were performed before and after treatment. Lateral cephalograms were obtained to describe the morphological changes. Setting: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Miyazaki Medical College, Miyazaki, Japan. Participants: Nine patients with repaired cleft palate in the mixed dentition stage underwent maxillary distraction using a face mask and an intraoral fixed appliance system. Outcome Measures: The severity of hypernasality, velopharyngeal insufficiency, and measurements such as pharyngeal depth, velar length, and the rotation of the palatal plane were evaluated. Results: Increase in pharyngeal depth was not always proportional to the amount of advancement. It depended on the posture of the posterior pharyngeal wall and th...