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Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and types of compensatory articulations (CAs) in nonsyndromic patients with velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) and various palatal anomalies and to determine the relationship between the frequency of CAs, type of palatal anomaly, and phonological errors. Method: A total of 783 nonsyndromic, Hebrew-speaking patients with VPD and various palatal anomalies (cleft lip and palate [CLP], cleft palate [CP], submucous CP [SMCP], occult submucous Cp [OSMCP], or non-CP) were studied retrospectively. Perceptual VPD tests, including articulation and phonological assessment, were conducted. CAs were described as below the level of the defect in the vocal tract (abnormal backing of oral targets to post-uvular place) or in front of it within the oral cavity (palatalization) and at the velopharyngeal port. Results: Among 783 patients, 213 (27.2%) had CAs. Most CAs (18.4%) occurred below the level of the defect, followed by CAs at the velopharyngeal port (12.0%) or in front of it (4.9%). No differences were found in the frequency of CAs between patients with CP (47.8%) or CLP (52.6%) and between those with non-CP (13.6%) or OSMCP (14.7%). SMCP patients had lower frequency of CAs (29.8%) than CP (p = .003) and CLP (p = .002) patients but higher frequency than OSMCP (p = .002) and non-CP (p = .002) patients did. Among the 783 patients, 247 (31.5%) had phonological errors. A higher frequency of phonological errors was found in patients with CAs (55.4%) compared to those without (22.6%) and in all palatal anomaly groups except CLP (31.4% vs. 23.9%). Conclusions: CAs in nonsyndromic patients with VPD remained relatively high in all age groups, up to adulthood. CAs are influenced by inadequate velar length following palatal repair, as well as by oral structural abnormalities, whereas poor muscle function due to OSMCP and/or abnormal size and/or shape of nasopharynx has less influence. Errors produced in front of the velopharyngeal port are influenced by the structural anomaly of CLP. This information may contribute to general phonetic and phonological theories and genetic investigations about CP anomalies., Palatal anomalies comprise a group of structural disorders that can affect speech intelligibility and communicative functions. Acceptably intelligible speech contributes to patients' functioning in society, and it is often evaluated [...]

Purpose: This purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and types of phonological process errors in patients with velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) and the different types of palatal anomalies. Method: A total of 808 nonsyndromic patients with VPD, who underwent follow-up at the Center for Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies, from 2000 to 2016 were included. Patients were stratified into four age groups and five subphenotypes of palatal anomalies: cleft lip and palate (CLP), cleft palate (CP), submucous cleft palate (SMCP), occult submucous cleft palate (OSMCP), and non-CP. Phonological processes were compared among groups. Results: The 808 patients ranged in age from 3 to 29 years, and 439 (54.3%) were male. Overall, 262/808 patients (32.4%) had phonological process errors; 80 (59.7%) ages 3-4 years, 98 (40, 0%) ages 4.1-6 years, 48 (24.7%) 6.19 years, and 36 (15.3%) 9.1-29 years. Devoicing was the most prevalent phonological process error, found in 97 patients (12%), followed by cluster reduction in 82 (10.1%), fronting in 66 (8.2%), stopping in 45 (5.6%), final consonant deletion in 43 (5.3%), backing in 30 (3.7%), and syllable deletion and onset deletion in 13 (1.6%) patients. No differences were found in devoicing errors between palatal anomalies, even with increasing age. Phonological processes were found in 61/138 (44.20%) with CP, 46/118 (38.1%) with SMCP, 61/188 (32.4%) with non-CP, 70/268 (26.1%) with OSMCP, and 25/96 (26.2%) with CLP. Phonological process errors were most frequent with CP and least with OSMCP (p = .001). Conclusions: Phonological process errors in nonsyndromic VPD patients remained relatively high in all age groups up to adulthood, regardless of the type of palatal anomaly. Our findings regarding the phonological skills of patients with palatal anomalies can help clarify the etiology of speech and sound disorders in VPD patients, and contribute to general phonetic and phonological studies., The velopharyngeal valve is a complex neuroanatomic process that is responsible for the production of oral speech sounds. The velum and pharynx also function as a muscular sphincter during sucking, [...]

Background: Endoscopic middle meatal antrostomy (EMMA) is considered the standard approach for surgical management of antrochoanal polyps (ACPs). Recently, an endoscopic inferior meatal antrostomy (EIMA) approach for clearing lesions in the maxillary sinus was described. In this study, we compared the long-term outcome of patients with ACP following surgical treatment using one of these 2 approaches (EIMA or EMMA). Methods: The medical charts of all patients treated for ACPs in our institution between January 1, 2009, and July 1, 2020, were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were invited to complete a long-term follow-up assessment. Results: Thirty-eight patients were included in the study: EIMA was the only procedure performed in 25 patients (66%) and EMMA was the only procedure performed in 7 patients (18%). Both procedures were performed in 6 patients (16%): 2 patients (5%) underwent simultaneous EMMA and EIMA for better access and visualization and 4 patients (10.5%) underwent surgical revision consisting of EIMA secondary to failed EMMA at other institutions. Median follow-up was 44 months (range, 6 months–11 years). No evidence of recurrent ACPs, recirculation, synechiae, nasolacrimal duct injury, or bleeding was observed in any of our patients. Small nonobstructing cysts were observed in 2 patients (8%) following EIMA. Conclusions: EIMA prevents violation of the ostiomeatal complex. It provides access to the anteroinferior aspect of the maxillary sinus and should be considered as an alternative to EMMA in patients with ACPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transoral endoscopic vestibular approach (TOEVA) for thyroidectomy (TOETVA) and parathyroidectomy (TOEPVA) is gaining popularity, yet knowledge is based on a limited number of studies, mostly performed by surgeons experienced in laparoscopic\robotic surgery. Methods: All patients who underwent TOEVA at our institution between February 2018 and October 2019 were followed prospectively. Main outcomes were ability to accomplish surgery endoscopically (failure defined as conversion to open approach) and complications. Results: Seventy‐one patients (52 TOETVA and 19 TOEPVA) were included. 98% (51/52) and 100% (19/19) of TOETVA and TOEPVA surgeries were accomplished endoscopically, respectively. Transient vocal cord and mental nerve injuries rates were 8.4% (6/71) and 2.8% (2/71), respectively. Thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in 27 patients (51.9%), all completely excised with clean margins. Conclusions: Adoption of the TOEVA suggested framework by head and neck surgeons without prior experience in laparoscopic/robotic techniques is feasible resulting in nearly 100% of surgeries accomplished endoscopically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The use of transoral endoscopic vestibular approach for thyroidectomy (TOETVA) and parathyroid (TOEPVA) has been increasing worldwide, including in Israel., Aims: To describe a single institute experience of the first 100 patients undergoing TOETVA or TOEPVA., Methods: A prospective study of all patients undergoing TOETVA or TOEPVA. Outcomes were defined as the ability to complete surgery endoscopically (success rate), safety profile and length of operation., Results: A total of 100 patients were included; 81 (81%) underwent TOETVA and the remaining (19%) TOEPVA. Of 81 TOETVA patients, 73 (90.1%) underwent hemithyroidectomy. The success rate was 98.8% (80/81). Six temporary recurrent laryngeal injuries (6.7% of nerves at risk) were documented. No permanent complication was documented, including hypocalcemia. Mean length of operation (hemithyroidectomy) was 2.6±0.9 hours. The removal of thyroid cancer using TOETVA was performed in 51 patients (63%). All tumors were resected with clean margins. Parathyroid adenoma was located in 94.7% of the patients undergoing TOEPVA (18/19). All surgeries were completed endoscopically, without complications. Calcium levels normalized in 100% of the patients following surgery.

Background: Ectopic teeth in maxillary sinus is rare and are usually removed via sub-labial trans-canine fossa approach (SLCFA). The aim of our study was to present our experience with extraction of ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus via transnasal endoscopic approach (TEA)., Material and Methods: Rhinologists were asked to share their experience in the management of ectopic teeth in the maxillary sinus. Data were reviewed retrospectively., Results: Eleven cases were reported in 10 patients from 2010 to 2019, six males and four females with a mean age of 33.5 +/-17 years (range 16 to 61). Seven patients complained of sinonasal symptoms, two were diagnosed incidentally during routine dental work-up, and one had oro-antral fistula. In eight patients, a cyst coexisted within the maxillary sinus. Teeth were located arbitrarily within the sinus. All cases were operated by TEA. One patient had self-limited periorbital emphysema, one had transient cheek numbness, and one had early post-operative bleeding that stopped after endoscopic cauterization. Long-term follow-up revealed good clinical outcomes., Conclusions: Transnasal endoscopic removal of ectopic teeth from the maxillary sinus is a feasible and rational approach when SLCFA is contraindicated. Key words: Ectopic teeth, dentigerous cyst, endoscopic sinus surgery, Caldwell-Luc., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest All authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Medicina Oral S.L.)