Adult Quality of Life Postcleft Palate Repair: A Comparison of Two Techniques.

Background and Purpose: In 1989, the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal published the first randomized prospective cleft surgery study, comparing the Kriens intravelar veloplasty (IVV) with a non-IVV 2-flap repair. Results in that and follow-up publications yielded no difference between the 2 groups for need for secondary velopharyngeal management. The subjects have now reached adulthood. This study was designed to ask: Is there any difference between the groups in the outcomes that multidisciplinary team care addresses: speech intelligibility, facial growth, breathing while awake and asleep, attainment of education, and long-term socioeconomic status? Methods: Enrollees from the original published study were invited to participate in a survey. Subjects responded to questions about speech therapy and speech satisfaction, additional surgery, breathing patterns, sleep quality/sleep disorder, and dental occlusion. Demographic information, information on education level, profession, and socio-economic status were queried. Student t test and Fisher exact test were used to compare results. Results: Forty-two of the original 200 patients (20 Kriens IVV and 19 non-IVV) chose to participate. Average age at survey was 25 +/- 3 years. Analysis yielded no difference between the 2 respondent groups for need for secondary velopharyngeal management. There were no differences in speech outcome and satisfaction (8 questions, 0.30

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