Study of relationship between clinical factors and velopharyngeal closure in cleft palate patients

Background: this study was carried out to analyze the relationship between clinical factors and velopharyngeal clo-sure (vpc) in cleft palate patients. methods: chi-square test was used to compare the postoperative velopharyngeal closure rate. logistic regression model was used to analyze independent variables associated with velopharyngeal closure. results: difference of postoperative vpc rate in different cleft types, operative ages and surgical techniques was significant (p=0.000). results of logistic regression analysis suggested that when operative age was beyond deciduous dentition stage, or cleft palate type was complete, or just had undergone a simple palatoplasty without levator veli palatini retropositioning, patients would suffer a higher velopharyngeal insufficiency rate after primary palatal repair. conclusions: cleft type, operative age and surgical technique were the contributing factors influencing vpc rate after primary palatal repair of cleft palate patients.