Study of normal speech with rehabilitation in cleft soft palate with the Furlow technique.

Dr. Nikolaos Kechagias1, Dr. Elias Tourtounis2

DOI: 10.54936/haoms265765

SUMMARY: The aim of this study is to highlight that when cleft palate in the soft palate is repaired at the appropriate time, using the appropriate surgical tech- nique, the outcome for speech is better, and the compensatory effort in articulation (during speech) is reduced. However, intervention in the hard palate may affect facial development. The Furlow technique, when repair of the hard palate is not required and the surgical intervention is limited to the soft palate, does not have a detrimental effect on facial development or speech. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Furlow technique in the speech of infants with soft palate cleft.
Materials & Methods: 44 infants with soft palate cleft were included in this study, ranging in age from 12 to 13 months, including 24 boys and 20 girls. Their clefts were repaired using the Furlow technique. The patients were monitored for at least 4 years. At the end of the follow-up period, they underwent nasoendoscopy to assess velopharyngeal closure and a perceptual speech evaluation.
Results: 38 cases (86.3%) showed complete velopharyngeal closure, 1 case (2.2%) had marginal competence, and 4 cases (9%) had insufficiency. Normal velopha- ryngeal resonance was achieved in 38 patients (86.3%), while hypernasality was observed in 5 patients (11.3%). Speech therapy was beneficial for cases with hyperna- sality. The 4 cases with insufficiency required corrective pharyngoplasty surgery.
Conclusion: Repair of soft palate cleft using the Furlow technique at an early age results in favorable speech outcomes without significant morbidity.


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