PRELIMINARY DATA ON THE EFFECT OF PHARYNGEAL FLAPS ON THE UPPER AIRWAY IN CHILDREN WITH VELOPHARYNGEAL INADEQUACY

Seven patients who received pharyngeal flaps for velopharyngeal incomp etence (VPI) were studied to assess the effect of the procedure on nas al airway size. The findings suggest that the pharyngeal flap does not significantly decrease the upper airway in all patients. The effect o f the flap did not correlate with the type of cleft, and was most pron ounced in the inspiratory phase of the breathing cycle. Reasons for th is variable effect, assumed to be related to an already impaired nasal airway in most cleft patients, are discussed.