Obturator Prosthesis for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency after Treatment of Soft Palate Cancer: A Case Report

Abstract

Velopharyngeal insufficiency after surgical resection of soft palate cancer can be troublesome. This report concerns a male suffered from severe dysphagia following combined treatment for soft palate cancer. Sequential videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) were used to assess his swallowing function and plan the interventional strategies. Initial VFSS showed huge nasal regurgitation, increased oral transit time, residues in oral cavity, delayed swallowing reflex, pharyngeal residue, impaired laryngeal elevation, and aspiration in semisolid and liquid trials. Obturator prosthesis was fabricated to minimize velopahryngeal insufficiency. After application of obturator prosthesis, swallowing dysfunction in oral and pharyngeal stages was markedly improved. Nasal regurgitation was not shown. Oral residue, oral transit time in oral stage also improved. Residue on vallaculae and pyriform sinuses decreased in pharyngeal stage. Aspiration also decreased. We reported successful obturator prosthesis application with sequential changes of clinical and VFSS findings in our case.