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Effects of suspension pharyngeal flap on speech in Filipino individuals with velopharyngeal insufficiency

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Abstract
Introduction: This study investigated the effects of suspension pharyngeal flap surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) due to cleft palate. Methods: Ten Filipino individuals (mean age = 20.63 years, range = 8.4-34.9 years) with a cleft palate who underwent suspension pharyngeal flap surgery for VPI were included in this study. Perceptual and instrumental speech assessments were conducted at two different time points: before surgery (data point 1) and after surgery (data point 2, range = 4-26 weeks postoperatively). Speech intelligibility in different contexts and satisfaction with speech were assessed by the participants themselves using a self-report questionnaire. Additionally, the risk for obstructive sleep apnea was assessed using the Berlin Questionnaire. Results: Velopharyngeal gap size significantly decreased after the surgery. Additionally, significant improvements in speech understandability and acceptability were observed following the suspension pharyngeal flap procedure. Besides, a significant reduction in hypernasality, nasal emission, and the occurrence of passive articulation errors was seen. No difference in the occurrence of active articulation errors was observed when comparing data pre- and post-surgery. The ten individuals reported to be significantly more intelligible in different contexts after surgery. Conclusion: Improved speech was observed in individuals who received the suspension pharyngeal flap procedure. This procedure also positively influences an individual's intelligibility in different contexts in daily life. In individuals with persisting active articulation errors, post-surgery speech therapy will still be necessary.
Keywords
Cleft palate, Velopharyngeal insufficiency, Speech outcomes, Pharyngeal flap, SPHINCTER PHARYNGOPLASTY, SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT, CLEFT-PALATE, SLEEP-APNEA, CHILDREN, SURGERY

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MLA
Alighieri, Cassandra, et al. “Effects of Suspension Pharyngeal Flap on Speech in Filipino Individuals with Velopharyngeal Insufficiency.” FOLIA PHONIATRICA ET LOGOPAEDICA, vol. 77, no. 2, 2025, pp. 180–92, doi:10.1159/000540308.
APA
Alighieri, C., Hodges, A., Verbeke, J., Kestens, K., Bettens, K., Albite, R., … Van Lierde, K. (2025). Effects of suspension pharyngeal flap on speech in Filipino individuals with velopharyngeal insufficiency. FOLIA PHONIATRICA ET LOGOPAEDICA, 77(2), 180–192. https://doi.org/10.1159/000540308
Chicago author-date
Alighieri, Cassandra, Andrew Hodges, Jolien Verbeke, Katrien Kestens, Kim Bettens, Rica Albite, Raphaelle May Tan, and Kristiane Van Lierde. 2025. “Effects of Suspension Pharyngeal Flap on Speech in Filipino Individuals with Velopharyngeal Insufficiency.” FOLIA PHONIATRICA ET LOGOPAEDICA 77 (2): 180–92. https://doi.org/10.1159/000540308.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Alighieri, Cassandra, Andrew Hodges, Jolien Verbeke, Katrien Kestens, Kim Bettens, Rica Albite, Raphaelle May Tan, and Kristiane Van Lierde. 2025. “Effects of Suspension Pharyngeal Flap on Speech in Filipino Individuals with Velopharyngeal Insufficiency.” FOLIA PHONIATRICA ET LOGOPAEDICA 77 (2): 180–192. doi:10.1159/000540308.
Vancouver
1.
Alighieri C, Hodges A, Verbeke J, Kestens K, Bettens K, Albite R, et al. Effects of suspension pharyngeal flap on speech in Filipino individuals with velopharyngeal insufficiency. FOLIA PHONIATRICA ET LOGOPAEDICA. 2025;77(2):180–92.
IEEE
[1]
C. Alighieri et al., “Effects of suspension pharyngeal flap on speech in Filipino individuals with velopharyngeal insufficiency,” FOLIA PHONIATRICA ET LOGOPAEDICA, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 180–192, 2025.
@article{01J1Z23MAGA3KTQPJJ404ARQYZ,
  abstract     = {{Introduction: This study investigated the effects of suspension pharyngeal flap surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) due to cleft palate. Methods: Ten Filipino individuals (mean age = 20.63 years, range = 8.4-34.9 years) with a cleft palate who underwent suspension pharyngeal flap surgery for VPI were included in this study. Perceptual and instrumental speech assessments were conducted at two different time points: before surgery (data point 1) and after surgery (data point 2, range = 4-26 weeks postoperatively). Speech intelligibility in different contexts and satisfaction with speech were assessed by the participants themselves using a self-report questionnaire. Additionally, the risk for obstructive sleep apnea was assessed using the Berlin Questionnaire. Results: Velopharyngeal gap size significantly decreased after the surgery. Additionally, significant improvements in speech understandability and acceptability were observed following the suspension pharyngeal flap procedure. Besides, a significant reduction in hypernasality, nasal emission, and the occurrence of passive articulation errors was seen. No difference in the occurrence of active articulation errors was observed when comparing data pre- and post-surgery. The ten individuals reported to be significantly more intelligible in different contexts after surgery. Conclusion: Improved speech was observed in individuals who received the suspension pharyngeal flap procedure. This procedure also positively influences an individual's intelligibility in different contexts in daily life. In individuals with persisting active articulation errors, post-surgery speech therapy will still be necessary.}},
  author       = {{Alighieri, Cassandra and Hodges, Andrew and Verbeke, Jolien and Kestens, Katrien and Bettens, Kim and Albite, Rica and May Tan, Raphaelle and Van Lierde, Kristiane}},
  issn         = {{1021-7762}},
  journal      = {{FOLIA PHONIATRICA ET LOGOPAEDICA}},
  keywords     = {{Cleft palate,Velopharyngeal insufficiency,Speech outcomes,Pharyngeal flap,SPHINCTER PHARYNGOPLASTY,SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT,CLEFT-PALATE,SLEEP-APNEA,CHILDREN,SURGERY}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{180--192}},
  title        = {{Effects of suspension pharyngeal flap on speech in Filipino individuals with velopharyngeal insufficiency}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1159/000540308}},
  volume       = {{77}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}

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