Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Program
The Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital provides coordinated interdisciplinary diagnostic and treatment services for patients with speech disorders resulting from velopharyngeal dysfunction. It is the only program of its kind in central Ohio.
What is Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD)?
Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) is the inadequate separation of the oral and nasal cavities during speech and/or swallowing. VPD is caused by structural and/or functional abnormalities of the soft palate and pharyngeal muscles. Patients with VPD typically exhibit hypernasal speech, abnormal articulation, and decreased intelligibility. Successful surgical management of VPD requires precision in diagnosis and individualization of treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of VPD may include:
- Excessively nasal speech quality (hypernasality)
- Leakage of air through the nose while speaking
- Speech which sounds “weak” or muffled
- Abnormal articulation
- Leakage of food or liquid through the nose while eating
Services We Offer
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Genetic Evaluation and Testing
- Instrumental Speech Assessment
- Multiview Speech Videofluroscopy
- Nasopharyngoscopy
- Speech Evaluation
- Speech Therapy
- VPD Surgery
Treatment
In most cases of VPD, speech therapy alone is typically not effective at treating hypernasal speech and velopharyngeal dysfunction, so surgical options such as a Furlow palatoplasty, Pharyngeal flap or Sphincter pharyngoplasty may be recommended. Surgical management of VPD is highly effective and aims to normalize or improve resonance, improve intraoral pressure so speech sounds are “stronger” and louder, and to reduce the leakage of airflow through the nose during speech. The anticipated results of speech surgery are speech that is both clearer to understand and more socially acceptable. Surgery is typically conducted by one of our expert Plastic Surgeons from the Cleft Lip and Palate Center, Dr. Richard Kirschner and Dr. Gregory Pearson, who have significant experience in VPD surgery.
Many children with VPD will also require intensive speech therapy in addition to speech surgery. Our team works closely with speech-language pathologists at Nationwide Children's to collaborate on treatment plans and therapy needs to ensure your child’s speech outcome will be optimized.
In rare cases, some individuals with velopharyngeal dysfunction may not be a surgical candidate, so a speech prosthesis may be an option to improve their speech.
Clinics and Ambulatory Services
Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Program
Outpatient Care Center, First Floor
555 S. 18th Street
Columbus, Ohio 43205
Cleft Lip and Palate Center
Outpatient Care Center, First Floor
555 S. 18th Street
Columbus, Ohio 43205
Center for Complex Craniofacial Disorders
Outpatient Care Center, First Floor
555 S. 18th Street
Columbus, Ohio 43205
The 22q Center
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Outpatient Care Center, First Floor
555 South 18th Street
Columbus, Ohio 43025
Inside the Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Program
Conditions We Treat
- 22q Deletion Syndrome
- About Cleft Lip and Palate
- Congenital Neuromuscular Diseases
- Congenital or Acquired Palatal Weakness or Paralysis
- Congenital Short Soft Palate
- Hemifacial Microsomia/Goldenhar Syndrome
- Hypernasal Speech After Adenoidectomy (Persisting More Than a Few Weeks Post Surgery)
- Neurofibromatosis Type I
- Submucous Cleft Palate or Bifid Uvula
