European Portuguese (EP) is characterized by a large number of nasals encompassing five phonemic nasal vowels. One notable characteristic these sounds their dynamic nature, involving both oral and gestures, which makes study characterization challenging. The vowels, in particular, has been addressed using wide range technologies: early descriptions were based on acoustics nasalance, later expan...

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to establish an evaluation method using a Nasometer, with several monosyllabic test words, to reveal the level of air leakage in maxillectomy patients without limitations due to language or ability to read. METHODS 20 normal Japanese (Group 1) and 20 international adults (Group 2), were asked to read 7 monosyllables, (5 vowels and 2 combined vowels, /a/, ...

OBJECTIVE Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a common complication after cleft palate repair, it may be due to lack of levator sling reconstruction and/or palatal shortening. Furlow palatoplasty has the advantages of retro-positioning of levator palati muscles and palatal lengthening. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Furlow palatoplasty in the treatment of VPI in patients ...

BACKGROUND The soft palate functions as a valve and helps generate the oral pressure required for normal speech resonance. Speech problems and nasal regurgitation can result from a soft palatal defect. Reduction of the size of the velopharyngeal orifice is required to compensate for the lack of mobility in a reconstructed soft palate. We suggest a large volume folded free flap for reduction of ...

AIMS The purpose of this study was to describe articulation and resonance characteristics of Ugandan English-speaking children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) after synchronous lip and palatal closure (Sommerlad technique) prior to the age of 6 months in comparison with an age- and gender-matched control group. METHODS Eleven Ugandan patients with CLP (mean age 4;9 years), repaired during a s...

OBJECTIVE One of the main goals in the management of cleft palate is to achieve a good quality of speech. The aim of the prospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy in patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency treated by simultaneously performed Furlow and Orticochea operations. PATIENTS AND METHODS From May 2007 to May 2008 we treated 14 consecutive patients (6 males and ...

INTRODUCTION Little is known about the treatment outcomes of children with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) receiving surgical care for primary lip and palate closure in Malaysia. OBJECTIVES This study examined the speech and hearing status of Malay-speaking children with CLP residing in Kuala Lumpur. METHODS Parents whose children were between the age of 5 and 7 years were recruited via the C...