Occult cleft palate as the cause of velopharyngeal insufficiency

Abstract

Submucous cleft palate, uvula bifida and congenital short soft palate belong to less common diagnosis causing velopharyngeal insufficiency. Correct diagnosis of this condition is far more difficult, compared to regular cleft cases; however, it may result in serious impact on speech development. Early and correct diagnosis and synchronized effort among plastic surgeon, speech pathologist and specialist in phoniatrics is essential for successful treatment. In our department, patients with submucous cleft palate and patients with congenital short soft palate with clinical symptoms of velopharyngeal insufficiency are recommended for surgery procedure. Children with hypernasal speech, delayed speech development, common otitis media and non-progressing speech therapy should always be referred to a plastic surgeon and specialist in phoniatrics.