Cephalometric Findings Among Children With Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Following Adenoidectomya Retrospective Study

ObjectivesTo characterise the craniofacial structure by cephalometry, especially the skull base and nasopharyngeal space, in children who underwent adenoidectomy and developed persistent velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD).DesignRetrospective study.SettingSpeech and swallowing clinic of a single academic hospital.ParticipantsThirty-nine children with persistent VPD following adenoidectomy (mean age 8.03.6 years) and a control group of 80 healthy children.Main outcome measuresCephalometric landmarks were chosen; craniofacial linear and angular dimensions were measured and analysed.ResultsThe linear dimensions of the nasopharyngeal area were shorter in the VPD group, S-Ba (41.64.2 mm, P<.05) and S-Ptm (42.4 +/- 5.1 mm, P<.05). The anterior skull base, N-S, was similar (68.1 mm +/- 6.8). The velum length, Ptm-P was significantly shorter in the VPD group (27.8 +/- 4.3 mm, P<.001). The Ba-S-Ptm angle was significantly larger in the VPD group (63.5 +/- 5.6 degrees, P<.001). There was no significant difference in cranial base angle (CBA), Ba-S-N, between the two groups.ConclusionsCephalometry may provide information regarding persistent postoperative VPD. The nasopharyngeal space angle and velar length appear to be risk factors for persistent VPD after adenoidectomy.