Treatment of persistent post-adenoidectomy velopharyngeal insufficiency by sphincter pharyngoplasty

Persistent post-adenoidectomy velopharyngeal insufficiency may be due to anatomical abnormalities of the palate such as an occult submucous cleft, short palate or deep nasopharynx; such conditions may be overlooked during the preoperative preparation for adenoid removal. Speech therapy is an effective method in mild hypernasality especially if there is no anatomical abnormality, while surgical correction is usually needed in moderate and severe cases, and sphincter pharyngoplasty is a useful choice for those patients.