Predictions of Modeled Palatopharyngeal Port Openings Under Conditions Simulating Pharyngeal Flap Reconstruction

Abstract

This study examined the estimation of modeled palatopharyngeal orifice areas under conditions similar to those created by pharyngeal flap reconstruction. Results indicated that accurate estimates of the palatopharyngeal orifice area can be obtained using Warren's pressure flow approach when the calculated area is actually the combined area of the lateral palatopharyngeal port openings. Our findings lend additional support to the view that pressure-flow techniques can provide objective information about the degree to which surgical procedures provide palatopharyngeal competence for speech. Previous investigators have shown that aerodynamic measurements can provide unique and quantifiable information about palatopharyngeal function for speech (Warren, 1974; Thompson and Hixon, 1979; Smith et al, in press). Such data have been used to evaluate palatopharyngeal function prior to and following surgery to establish palatopharyngeal competence for speech (Subtelny et a1, 1970; Hogan, 1975; Smith et al, in press). A commonly used procedure to establish palatopharyngeal competence is the pharyngeal flap reconstruction. Hogan (1975) and Smith et al (in press) evaluated the results of the pha-ryngeal flap operation using Warren's pressure-flow approach the combined area of lateral palatopha— ryngeal port openings. There is no information currently avail— able concerning the accuracy of palato-pharyngeal orifice area estimation when this area is actually the total of the lateral port areas. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to determine the predictive nature (means and standard deviations) of modeled palatopharyngeal orifice area calculations under conditions simulating pharyngeal flap reconstruction. METHOD Modeling Apparatus The vocal tract model used in this project was constructed following the dimensions outlined by Warren and Devereux (1966) and was like that used in our previous modeling studies.1 The velopharyn-geal orifice of the model is constructed so that its dimensions can be varied by inserting cover plates over the fully open 1Vocal tract model design altered byJerald B. Moon