OBJECTIVETo find out the nasendoscopic changes of velopharyngeal configuration and movement after palatoplasty with or without velopharyngeal muscle reconstruction.

METHODSThe nasendoscopy was taken in forty-one patients with palatoplasty, 22 repaired by velopharyngeal muscle reconstruction and 19 with modified von Langenbeck's procedure (non-reconstructive group).

RESULTSIn patients with velopharyngeal muscle reconstruction, the velopharyngeal ports are smooth and full with a definite reduction in size than patients without velopharyngeal muscle reconstruction. During phonation, the complete and marginal velopharyngeal competence rate in reconstructive group (90.91%) is higher than the group of non-reconstruction (37.31%) The major velopharyngeal closure is circular movement in reconstructive group, otherwise coronal closure in nonconstructive group.

CONCLUSIONSBased the observation of nasendoscopy, the velopharyngeal muscle reconstruction in palatoplasty has more definite improvement to velopharyngeal closure than non-reconstructive procedure. Palatoplasty with velopharyngeal muscle reconstruction could reduce the size of velopharyngeal port and make the complete velopharyngeal closure easier.