OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of palatoplasty with or without velopharyngeal muscular reconstruction on the velopharyngeal closure under the lateral radiography.

METHODSThe lateral radiographs and cephalometric analysis were taken in sixty-two patients with cleft palate and velopharyngeal insufficiency, 32 repaired with velopharyngeal muscular reconstruction and 30 with modified von Langenbeck's procedure (non-reconstructive group).

RESULTSIn patients with velopharyngeal muscular reconstruction, the velopharyngeal competence, the reductive rate of nasopharynx, the distance reduction in lower part of the mobile nasopharynx during phonation and the distance in middle part of mobile nasopharyngo in rest were superior to that without velopharyngeal muscular reconstruction, and there were variform PPW eminence-soft palate contact in velopharyngeal closure. The patients with complete or good velopharyngeal closure had a definite reduction in nasopharynx, compared to the patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency in the non-reconstructive group.

CONCLUSIONSThe functional area for velopharyngeal closure after palatoplasty might be located in the middle part of mobile nasopharynx. The velopharyngeal muscular reconstruction in palatoplasty could reduce the size of nasopharynx and improve the coordination movement of velopharyngeal closure.