Prevalencia del estado velofaríngeo en pacientes con fisura labiopalatina de la Fundación Smile Train-Fonotelier, Cuenca, 2024 – 2025

Abstract

Background: People with cleft lip and palate usually present functional alterations in the soft palate, influenced by factors such as surgical and therapeutic history. A descriptive cross-sectional investigation was carried out with a sample of 100 patients. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of velopharyngeal status in patients of the Smile Train- Fonotelier Foundation, in Cuenca, 2024-2025, using the protocol of evaluation of velopharyngeal insufficiency, to categorize the population according to sex, age, and type of cleft, to identify velopharyngeal insufficiency according to variables. Results: The highest proportion corresponded to males (54%), mean age 6 and 11 years (44%), and the most frequent fissures were bilateral transforamen (41%) and left unilateral transforamen (28%). Eighty percent of the patients presented IVF or an insufficient velopharyngeal borderline mechanism (VPLI). Speech therapy had a significant influence: 20% of patients who received more than three years of therapy achieved a sufficient velopharyngeal mechanism (SVM) or sufficient borderline velopharyngeal mechanism (SLVM), while 54% of those who received less than 11 months of therapy had IVF or SLVM. Furthermore, no patient surgically intervened after 3 years of age achieved an MVS or MVLS, which is evidence that early surgery reduces the risk of IVF, although it is not a determining factor by itself. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for a comprehensive approach combining timely surgeries and prolonged speech therapy to optimize functional outcomes in patients with cleft lip and palate.