Abstract
Objective
To longitudinally investigate the incidence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) following Furlow palatoplasty for velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in children with cleft palate.
Subjects
Ten children, six boys and four girls, mean age 5.1 years, at Furlow palatoplasty.
Design
Prospective analysis.
Main Outcome Measures
Overnight polysomnographic studies were used to determine the incidence and severity of sleep apneas 1 day prior to Furlow palatoplasty, 1 week postoperatively, and approximately 3 and 6 months postoperatively.
Results
None of the patients suffered OSA prior to Furlow palatoplasty. A high incidence of mild OSA (100%) occurred during the early postoperative period (p < .001) but resolved within 3 months in all but two patients (20%). Only one OSA (10%) persisted 6 months postoperatively.
Conclusions
Furlow palatoplasty for VPI in children with cleft palate might induce temporary and mild OSA.
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