Background: In children born with cleft (lip and) palate
resonance and articulation disorders are often observed as a
result of structural deviations of the sound production mechanism.
Even after palatal closure, compensatory articulation
and resonance disturbance may persist, despite advances in
surgical treatment of congenital orofacial clefts [1].
Material & Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that
was conducted upon 70 patients with repaired cleft palate of
different grades in Plastic Surgery Department Assiut University
Hospital. Data was collected from May 2016 to December
2018.
Results: The study enrolled 70 children with cleft palate
and underwent palatoplasty; out of them 18 (25.7%) patients
developed velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPI). 66% of patient
with velopharyngeal insufficiency has below average IQ.