Surgical procedures for functional improvement of the velum

Summary

The velopharyngoplasty, developed by the author (1966) usually results in lengthening of the palatal roof and improving the tensor function. When needed, it can be performed in conjunction with any of the three following procedures:

• 1. A Levatorplasty, where a new levator sling is formed by a muscle transposition from the M. Pterygoideus medialis.

• 2. An Arcus palatopharyngoplasty, where a bulkier vault is obtained.

• 3. An Arcus palatoglossusplasty, where the atrophic boundary is enriched, and the mobility of the arch increased.

All these procedures have been used either alone, or in combination, and have shown a remarkable degree of improvement in the recorded speech results.