Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a speech disorder characterized by inability for the palate (velum) to contact the posterior pharyngeal wall resulting in nasal air escape and subsequent speech abnormalities. All but the mildest cases are treated surgically, with technique chosen based on the closure pattern and gap size reserving the pharyngeal flap for the most severely affected patients. We present a 6-year old female with developmental delay and VPI with large (~60%) coronal pattern velopharyngeal gap subsequently deemed a candidate for posterior pharyngeal flap.
Following Dingman mouthgag placement, the posterior wall is inspected and palpated ensuring no carotid medialization. The flap is designed and marked as wide and long as possible to reduce tension. Local injection wis performed. Using an angled needle tip Bovie, the flap was then elevated in the plane the prevertebral fascia to the level of the nasopharynx. The donor site is closed with simple interrupted 4.0 chromic sutures. The palatal mucosa is divided in a T-shaped fashion, without violating palatal musculature. The flap is inset with horizontal mattress sutures using 4.0 chromic. The nasal ports are inspected frequently to ensure adequate nasal airway patency. The palatal mucosa is reapproximated and any residual donor site closed. The patient is observed overnight, discharged home post-operative day 1, maintained on a soft diet for two weeks and abstains from speech therapy for 4 weeks to allow healing. Follow up demonstrated excellent healing well and VPI resolution on repeat speech sample.
Abstract
Introduction: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are abnormal connections between arteries and veins that lack an intervening capillary network. The high flow of arterial blood directly into veins can lead to the weakening of venous walls, potentially resulting in life-threatening hemorrhages.The primary treatment modalities for cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) include surgical resection, endovascular embolization.
Case presentation: A 34-year-old female presented with a roughly 7×7 cm arteriovenous malformation (AVM) located in the right temporoparietal area. The AVM extended both superficially and deeply into the infratemporal fossa and laterally towards the orbit. Imaging revealed the presence of multiple large contributing vessels in the preauricular area. The patient underwent embolization with interventional radiology one day prior to the surgical procedure.
Methods: Markings were made along the right upper hairline after trimming and continued down the preauricular skin. A #15 blade was utilized to make incisions through the epidermis and dermis, reaching the subcutaneous tissues. The temporoparietal and temporal flap fascia were dissected and carefully raised. Once the AVM was detached from the surrounding temporalis muscle and the zygomatic bone, its feeder vessels were ligated near the tragal pointer using hemoclips to aid in future localization. Hemostasis was successfully achieved with bipolar cautery. The temporalis muscle and its adjacent fascia were sutured closed with vicryl suture. Closure of the deep dermal layer was accomplished with 4-0 PDS, and the skin was closed in a running subcutaneous fashion using 5-0 monocryl.
Conclusion : We present a successful surgical resection of Arteriovenous Malformation with a prior embolization by interventional radiologist
Surgeons:
Coleman, Madison, MD,
Aryan D Shay ,MD
Gresham T Richter, MD, FACS
Conflicts of Interest: None
Funding: This research received no external funding
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, AR, USA
This video presents a case of a large hard palate fistula, which was repaired with an anterior tongue flap. The details of the procedure are described and demonstrated in detail, including both stages of the reconstruction, which were timed 3-4 weeks apart.
