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Pharyngeal plexus surgery, or pharyngoplasty, is a procedure that modifies the shape and function of the soft palate and throat. This surgery is often recommended when a patient’s soft palate is too short and causes air to escape through the nose when speaking, which can often create a “nasal” tone of voice and make speech difficult for others to understand.
Pharyngeal Plexus Surgery
What is pharyngeal plexus surgery?
What to Expect
Pharyngeal plexus surgery typically takes 1 to 2 hours and is always performed under general anesthesia to ensure patients remain asleep and don’t feel pain during their procedure.
The steps required to reshape the palate depend on the surgeon’s technique. Common techniques include:
- Pharyngeal flap: Removing a small flap of tissue from the back of the throat and placing it on your palate to close the gap between the palate and throat.
- Sphincter pharyngoplasty: Removing a flap of tissue from behind each of the tonsils and placing them across the back of the throat to prevent air leakage from the nose.
After the Procedure
Most patients are required to stay in the hospital for 1 to 3 nights for monitoring and care after the procedure. You might experience a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, neck pain, nasal congestion, and bloody discharge from the nose and mouth, but most patients reported these side effects resolved within a few days. Some patients with severe swelling may need a tube to assist with breathing for the first few days after surgery.
Your surgeon will likely recommend keeping your head elevated while sleeping and following a soft food diet for up to 3 weeks. They may also recommend undergoing speech therapy, especially for pediatric patients. Before you return home, your care team will provide you with all post-surgical instructions to support healing.
Risks & Benefits
While pharyngoplasty is relatively safe, all surgeries have risks. These risks may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Development of/ worsening sleep apnea
Undergoing pharyngeal plexus surgery offers patients multiple benefits, including:
- Improved breathing
- Clearer speech
- Reduced nasal tone in voice
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
Am I a candidate for pharyngeal plexus surgery?
Patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) or hypernasality due to a soft palate anomaly are typically good candidates for pharyngoplasty. However, certain conditions and medications can make it unsafe to undergo surgery.
Your surgeon will perform a thorough assessment before determining whether you or your child qualify as a candidate for pharyngeal plexus surgery.
Our Doctors
Our industry-leading team has advanced expertise in treating complex conditions and has performed numerous pharyngeal plexus surgeries for patients of all ages.
Patient Stories
Living with a condition like VPI can be challenging, but pharyngeal plexus surgery can improve your quality of life. Check out these stories of hope from our recent patients
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Interested in learning whether you or your child are a candidate for pharyngeal plexus surgery? Please schedule an appointment with our care team.