Velopharyngeal insufficiency, speech, and language impairment in craniofacial microsomia: a scoping review

Pauline A.E. Tio*, Wietse Rooijers, Henriëtte H.W. de Gier, Henriëtte G. Poldermans, Maarten J. Koudstaal, Cornelia J.J.M. Caron

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

26 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on velopharyngeal insufficiency, associated anomalies, and speech/language impairment in patients with craniofacial microsomia (CFM). A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify records on VPI and speech impairment in CFM from their inception until September 2022 within the databases Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid, CINAHL EBSCO, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. Seventeen articles were included, analysing 1,253 patients. Velopharyngeal insufficiency results in hypernasality can lead to speech impairment. The reported prevalence of both velopharyngeal insufficiency and hypernasality ranged between 12.5% and 55%, while the reported prevalence of speech impairment in patients with CFM varied between 35.4% and 74%. Language problems were reported in 37% to 50% of patients. Speech therapy was documented in 45.5% to 59.6% of patients, while surgical treatment for velopharyngeal insufficiency consisted of pharyngeal flap surgery or pharyngoplasty and was reported in 31.6% to 100%. Cleft lip and/or palate was reported in 10% to 100% of patients with CFM; these patients were found to have worse speech results than those without cleft lip and/or palate. No consensus was found on patient characteristics associated with an increased risk of velopharyngeal insufficiency and speech/language impairment. Although velopharyngeal insufficiency is a less commonly reported characteristic of CFM than other malformations, it can cause speech impairment, which may contribute to delayed language development in patients with CFM. Therefore, timely recognition and treatment of speech impairment is essential.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)30-37
Number of pages8
JournalBritish Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume62
Issue number1
Early online date8 Nov 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Velopharyngeal insufficiency, speech, and language impairment in craniofacial microsomia: a scoping review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this