Soft palathal lenghtening vs. primal functions

Abstract

A common complication in the treatment of palatopharyngeal insufficiency, resulting from anatomo-physiological abnormalities, is a soft palate that is too short and whose role is to participate in both physiological functions and speech broadcasting. The treatment procedure in such a case is soft palate lengthening surgery. In the development of pediatric surgery, a number of surgical techniques are being introduced to optimize both the course of reconstruction and the return to as close to normal anatomy and physiology of this area as possible. The following text presents the pilot results obtained in terms of restoring primitive function after surgery performed with the technique of lengthening the soft palate using Double‑Opposing Buccal Flaps. At the same time, referring to the current tendency in medical research to take into account the patient’s quality of life in the context of medical procedures, the comfort of primal functions before and after the procedure was compared in the assessment of pediatric patients themselves and their parents.