Endoscopic partial adenoidectomy for Children with submucous cleft palate

Abstract Objective: Children with submucous cleft palate who suffer from chronic nasal obstruction because of hypertrophic adenoids usually are not subjected to adenoidectomy because of the fear of postoperative velopharyngeal insufficiency. These patients present a therapeutic challenge because we are aware more than ever of the importance of normal nasal breathing and nocturnal respiration, especially during childhood. Our hypothesis was that transnasal endoscopic horizontal limited adenoidectomy may relieve nasal obstruction while preserving the function of the velopharyngeal valve. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transnasal endoscopic horizontal partial adenoidectomy in patients with submucous cleft palate and adenoidal hypertrophy. Setting: Patients were either referred to the outpatient clinic of the Palate Surgery Unit (seven patients) or were patients referred to the senior author's (Y.F.) private clinic. All the patients had been operated on by this senior author (Y.F....