The Evaluation Of Speech Function Of “之”-pattern Palatorrhaphy On Nasal Cavity Muscularis Mucosae

Objective: The purpose of this experiment was to see whether the “之 ”-Pattern Palatorrhaphy on Nasal Cavity Muscularis Mucosae was one of the optional practical schemes in surgeries by evaluating the linguistic functions and Velopharyngeal functions of patients in two groups under different Palatorrhaphies. It will provide new surgical method for Palatorrhaphy and build theoretical basis to spread it.Methods: Forty cleft palate patients were randomly selected as participants of this research. There were 14 female and 26 male patients with an range of 5-25 years old(average=15.25). All patients were divided into two groups(experiment group and control group) in random. Twenty patients were included in the experiment group and were treated in “之”-Pattern Palatorrhaphy on Nasal Cavity Muscularis Mucosae. The left twenty patients in the control group were treated in double opposing Z-plasty or Sommerlad palatoplasty. All the operations were completed by the same doctor. Checks had been done before the operations including speech articulation assessment, Nasal cavity resonance and nasal air leak assessment, sound spectrograph assessment and Cephalometric lateral radiographs inspection. The patients were observed 3 months after the operations to evaluate the postoperative palatine pharyngeal closure function and speech intelligibility.Results: 1 Speech intelligibility test In experiment group, patients with an speech intelligibility of over 70% reached 85% postoperatively. While in control group, this figure reached 80%. Significant differences were found between two groups on Speech intelligibility test(P<0.05). The experiment group was better than the control group. 2 Nasal cavity resonance and nasal emission2.1 Significant differences were found between two groups on nasal cavity resonance(P<0.05). The experiment group was better than the control group. 2.2 Significant differences were found between two groups on nasal emission(P<0.05). The experiment group was better than the control group. 3 Cephalometric lateral radiographs analysis In the experiment group, the VPC good rate after opertions was 85%. While in control group, that figure was 75%. Significant differences were found between two groups(P<0.05). 4 Voice spectrum analysis 4.1 The frequency value of the first three formant(F1, F2, F3)in /a/ had no significant difference between two groups before operations(P>0.05). After operations, the second and third formant values(F2, F3) in /a/ of the experiment group were higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). No significant difference(P>0. 0 5) w e r e f o u n d o n t h e f i r s t f o r m a n t( F 1) i n / a / b e t w e e n t w o g r o u p s. 4.2 The frequency value of the first three formant(F1, F2, F3)in /i/ had no significant difference between two groups before operations(P>0.05). After operations, the second and third formant values(F2, F3) in /i/ of the experiment group were higher than that of the control group(P<0.05). No significant difference(P>0.05) were found on the first formant(F1) in /i/ between two groups.Conclusion: Satisfactory linguistic effects on incomplete cleft palate under “之”-Pattern Palatorrhaphy on Nasal Cavity Muscularis Mucosae treatment can be found. So this method can be used as a clinical choice for physicians to carry out cleft palate surgeries.