Cleft lip is an anomaly that primarily affects aesthetics, whereas cleft palate is an anomaly that primarily affects function, particularly speech. In fact, the main reason for repairing the palate is to provide adequate structure and function for normal speech production. Despite undergoing palatoplasty surgery, 20 to 30% of children with repaired cleft palate will demonstrate some degree of velopharyngeal dysfunction, resulting in abnormal speech. Velopharyngeal dysfunction is also seen in individuals without a history of cleft palate for various reasons. Because the symptoms of velopharyngeal dysfunction have a variety of causes, a comprehensive evaluation is very important to make the appropriate recommendations for treatment. The purpose of this article is to discuss the clinical assessment of velopharyngeal function for speech, using low-tech and "no-tech" procedures.
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