Recent Pharyngeal Flap Modifications for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

El-Anwar MW MW and Galhoom D

Published on: 2019-12-26

Abstract

Over the years, many pharyngeal flap modifications were attempted to optimize results and minimize complications in repairing velopharyngeal insufficiency. L flap was designed and used to add 1cm of superior constrictor muscle covered by mucosa to the palate adding length and width to the already short and tense palate and make its sutures more secured under direct vision. Then L flap could successfully close palatal fistula and correct VPI as single stage procedure with easy applicability and no registered complication without palatal dissection. Additionally, a cephalic de-mucosalized modified L flap allows to immediately cover the superior part of the donor site in the posterior pharyngeal wall with mucosa avoiding possible adhesion and downward PF migration.