The ultrasound anatomical study of the velopharyngeal function in aged patients with cleft palate

Objective:To acquire the ultrasound anatomy parameters of the preoperative and postoperative velopharyngeal function in aged patients with cleft palate for providing the references in formulating preoperative plan, evaluating postoperative effects and guiding speech training.Methods:The length and thickness of the soft palate and anteroposterior diameter of the palate pharynx in 30 aged patients with cleft palate were dynamically measured by ultrasonography before and after the operation, which were compared with 30 normal people.Results:The length and thickness of the soft palate in 30 aged patients with cleft palate(28.48±4.89)mm and(6.21±0.69)mm were significantly shorter and longer than those in 30 normal people(41.13±3.59)mm and(5.19±0.29)mm before operation, respectively(P<0.01).Compared before operation, the length and thickness of the soft palate(39.25±3.67)mm and(5.02±0.29)mm were obviously long and thin after operation, respectively(P<0.01 and P<0.05), whose were close to that in normal people(P>0.05).The anteroposterior diameter of the palate pharynx in cleft palate patients(21.30±2.69)mm was longer than that in normal people(8.93±0.39)mm before operation(P<0.01).After operation, the anteroposterior diameter of the palate pharynx(12.02±0.99)mm was less than that before operation in cleft palate patients(P<0.01).The anteroposterior diameter of the palate pharynx in postoperative cleft palate patients was longer than that in normal people(P<0.05).Conclusions:The significant differences of the ultrasound anatomy parameters of the preoperative and postoperative velopharyngeal closure in aged patients with cleft palate can provide the importantly scientific basis in formulating preoperative plan, evaluating postoperative velopharyngeal function.