Velopharyngeal incompetence
Overview
A condition which is characterised by the incompetence of the velopharyngeal to close due to any cause.
Symptoms
* Nerve damage * Cleft palate * Muscle paralysis * Regurgitation * Feeding difficulties * Breathing difficulties * Unable to produce sounds
Causes
While cleft is the most common cause of VPI, other significant etiologies exist.
Treatment
A common method to treat Velopahryngeal insufficiency is pharyngeal flap surgery, where tissue from the back of the mouth is used to close part of the gap. Other ways of treating velopharyngeal insufficiency is by placing a posterior nasopharyngeal wall implant (commonly cartilage or collagen) or type of soft palate lengthening procedure (ie, VY palatoplasty).