Journal d'otologie et de rhinologie

Management of Congenital Oral or Oropharyngeal Masses Resulting in Cleft Palate

Laura H. Swibel Rosenthal, Amelia F. Drake, Paula J. Harmon, Bruce Bell Jr., Anahita Jalilvand, and Carlton J. Zdanski

Management of Congenital Oral or Oropharyngeal Masses Resulting in Cleft Palate

This is a case series of five patients with congenital oral or pharyngeal masses associated with a cleft palate or velopharyngeal insufficiency. The study included all patients at a single tertiary care institution between July 2009 and July 2010; however, the initial neonatal diagnoses were made between 3 and 25 years ago. These cases are examined to gain an understanding of prognosis and the role of the otolaryngologist for these patients, the scope of which ranged from initial airway management and excision of the mass to reconstruction of the pharynx and rehabilitation of speech and swallow. All patients had a hamartoma or teratoma. With treatment, all patients had a stable airway and tolerated an oral diet. Speech outcomes were dependent on the deformity and cognitive development of the patient. Additional surgeries were often performed for associated comorbidities, such as otitis media and malocclusion.