Speech outcomes following Sommerlad primary palatoplasty: results of the Ghent University Hospital

Publication date: Available online 31 January 2018
Source:Journal of Communication Disorders
Author(s): Laura Bruneel, Kim Bettens, Marc De Bodt, Nathalie Roche, Katrien Bonte, Kristiane Van Lierde
Objective and subjectsSpeech outcomes were described for 16 patients with cleft palate (mean age: 5.4 years) following Sommerlad primary palatoplasty performed by a single surgeon of the Ghent University Hospital. These speech outcomes were compared with those of an age and gender matched control group without cleft palate (mean age: 5.3 years).MethodsSpeech intelligibility/distinctiveness, resonance, nasal airflow and articulation, were perceptually evaluated. Additionally, nasalance values and the NSI 2.0 were determined.ResultsIn seven patients, speech intelligibility/distinctiveness was disordered. Hypernasality was present in twelve participants, whereas nasal emission and nasal turbulence were perceived in thirteen and five patients respectively. Both perceptual and instrumental speech evaluations were significantly poorer in the patient group in comparison to the control group.ConclusionsPatients still present with both obligatory and compensatory speech disorders following Sommerlad's palatoplasty. In the future, a Dutch speech assessment protocol will be developed in order to standardize follow-up of these patients and to allow for within-center and inter-center comparisons.



http://ift.tt/2FwR6Do