Quantitative analysis of velopharyngeal closure function in patients with cleft palate using four-dimensional computed tomography: Early experience of pre- and postoperative evaluation in pediatric patients

Introduction: Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in cleft palate patients often requires surgical intervention. This study evaluates the effectiveness of four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) in assessing velopharyngeal function (VPF) pre- and postoperatively. Case presentation: Four pediatric patients with cleft palate underwent 4D-CT imaging before and after surgery. Velar length, thickness, elevation angle, and minimum cross-sectional area were measured during sustained phonation. Conclusion: 4D-CT provided detailed imaging without patient discomfort, allowing both qualitative and quantitative analysis. While surgery improved velopharyngeal motion in most cases, further research is needed to understand the relationship between structural changes and hypernasality outcomes.