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Nasopharyngeal dimensions and respiratory symptoms after pharyngeal flap surgery in children and adults

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of age on nasopharyngeal dimensions and respiratory symptoms in patients undergoing surgery to correct velopharyngeal insufficiency using the pharyngeal flap technique. METHODS: A sample comprising 103 individuals divided into three groups: children (6-12 years old), young adults (18-30 years old) and middle-aged adults (≥ 40 years old). This was a retrospective study that analyzed the values for the nasopharyngeal area (pressure-flow technique, reference value: 0.570 cm²) and the symptoms of oral respiration, snoring and respiratory difficulties during sleep. The values were obtained, on average, 12 months after surgery. The nasopharyngeal area was compared between the groups using analysis of variance, and respiratory symptoms were compared using the chi-squared test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The mean nasopharyngeal area values after surgery were 0.527±0.215 cm², 0.599±0.213 cm² and 0.488±0.276 cm² for children, young adults and middle-aged adults, respectively, with no differences between groups. The proportions of oral respiration, snoring and breathing difficulty during sleep were, respectively, 66%, 69% and 9% in children; 51%, 49% and 7% in young adults; and 75%, 75% and 19% in middle-aged adults, with a higher frequency of snoring in middle-aged adults. CONCLUSION: Age did not affect nasopharyngeal dimensions in the presence of a pharyngeal flap, but it was an aggravating factor for respiratory symptoms, especially in older individuals.

Cleft palate; Velopharyngeal insufficiency; Surgery, oral; Signs and symptoms, Respiratory; Rhinomanometry


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