Comparison of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Children with Cleft Palate following Furlow Palatoplasty or Pharyngeal Flap for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the incidence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in patients with cleft palate having a Furlow palatoplasty or pharyngeal flap for correction of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Patients A total of 48 nonsyndromic children with repaired cleft palate with VPI were enrolled in the study. Twenty of the children had a Furlow palatoplasty (F group) and 28 children had a pharyngeal flap (P group) for correction of VPI. Interventions An overnight polysomnography evaluation was done to evaluate the incidence and severity of OSAS 6 months or more postoperatively. Main Outcome Measures Symptoms of OSAS, respiratory disturbance index (RDI), oxyhemoglobin desaturation index (DI), and sleep stages were measured. Results In the P group, the mean percentage of stage 2 sleep was lower than the F group (p < .05). The mean RDI and DI were larger in the P group, compared with the F group (p < .001). The incidence and severity of OSAS were higher in the P group, compared with the F group (p < .001 and p = 0.05, respectively). Conclusions A Furlow palatoplasty should be used in deference to a pharyngeal flap whenever possible on the basis of the preoperative evaluation of VPI because of the decreased incidence and severity of OSAS.