Speech characteristics of cleft lip and palate patients after orthognathic surgery

Abstract

Introduction: The velopharyngeal (VP) sphincter is ineffective in individuals with cleft lip and palate (CL/P), among other abnormalities in the speech-producing structures. Premaxilla protrusion, posterior crossbite, and maxillary hypoplasia are common symptoms in adult CL/P patients. Thus, orthognathic surgery is typically necessary, which could involve a segmental Le Fort I (SLF-1) osteotomy. The VP function may be impacted in different ways by this procedure. Objective: This study's objective was to assess SLF-1's impact on adult CL/P patients' speaking characteristics. Methodology: Nine patients between the ages of 15 and 25 who had a history of CL/P, a maxillary skeletal deformity that needed to be corrected, and chronic alveolar defects were chosen. All patients had their speech evaluated prior to surgery and six months later. This included videofluoroscopy, nasoendoscopy, nasometry, and auditory perceptual evaluation. Maxillary advancement was 4.1 mm on average. Results: Except for three patients who developed hypernasal changes, postoperative findings for all parameters remained unchanged, according to nasometry results alone. Conclusion: This shows that advancement through SLF-1 has no impact on the VP function, and that there may be other factors that have a compensatory effect.