Prosthetic management of an adult cleft patient with velopharyngeal appliance and airway evaluation by acoustic pharyngometry

Abstract

Cleft lip and palate is the most common congenital malformation in oro-facial region. In adult cases where defect is large and paucity of tissue is there, prosthetic management of the defect with palatal obutrator and velopharyngeal appliance is the treatment of choice. It requires scrupulous clinical skills and detailed knowledge of anatomy to prevent airway obstruction and discomfort during function. Acoustic pharyngometry (AP) is an advanced tool to evaluate the airway in 3D during function without radiation exposure. In this case report palatal obturator with speech aid prosthesis was fabricated to rehabilitate an adult cleft palate patient. AP test was done to ensure adequate airway space with prosthesis.