Views: 1,485 | Downloads:
25
| Responses: 0
| XML | Respond to this article | Alert & updates | Request permissions | Email to a friend |
Original ArticleOpen Access
Velopharyngeal Assessment Procedures for the Thai Cleft Palate Population
Garrett JD 
,
Deal RE ,
Prathanee B
,
Deal RE ,
Prathanee B J, DAVID GARRETI,Ph.D.*,
RANDOLPH E. DEAL, Ph.D.*,
BENJAMAS PRA THANEE, M.Sc. **
The evaluation of velopharyngeal insufficiency and its associated effects on speech repre-
sent a complex interaction of both listener judgments of nasality and visual observation of the
velopharyngeal mechanism. Although trained judgments of hypemasal speech are the most frequent
index leading to the clinical decision to treat or not to treat, the clinician must also determine what
kind of treatment would provide the best results, especially if surgical repair is being considered.
This requires an accurate assessment of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Assessment of velopharyngeal
insufficiency requires visualization of the velopharyngeal mechanism using endoscopy or radio-
graphic analysis in order to evaluate the ability to achieve closure of the velopharyngeal port. The
purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive diagnostic procedure that integrates perceptual
judgments of nasality with visual judgments of velopharyngeal insufficiency using endoscopy. More-
over, this paper provides rationales for the selection and implementation of both non speech and
speech protocols to enable the clinician to accurately assess the parameters of nasality and vela-
pharyngeal insufficiency.
Key word : Cleft Palate, Velopharyngeal Insufficiency, Hypemasality, Endoscopy, Nasality
RANDOLPH E. DEAL, Ph.D.*,
BENJAMAS PRA THANEE, M.Sc. **
The evaluation of velopharyngeal insufficiency and its associated effects on speech repre-
sent a complex interaction of both listener judgments of nasality and visual observation of the
velopharyngeal mechanism. Although trained judgments of hypemasal speech are the most frequent
index leading to the clinical decision to treat or not to treat, the clinician must also determine what
kind of treatment would provide the best results, especially if surgical repair is being considered.
This requires an accurate assessment of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Assessment of velopharyngeal
insufficiency requires visualization of the velopharyngeal mechanism using endoscopy or radio-
graphic analysis in order to evaluate the ability to achieve closure of the velopharyngeal port. The
purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive diagnostic procedure that integrates perceptual
judgments of nasality with visual judgments of velopharyngeal insufficiency using endoscopy. More-
over, this paper provides rationales for the selection and implementation of both non speech and
speech protocols to enable the clinician to accurately assess the parameters of nasality and vela-
pharyngeal insufficiency.
Key word : Cleft Palate, Velopharyngeal Insufficiency, Hypemasality, Endoscopy, Nasality
Download:
PDF