The Behaviors of the Levator Veli Palatine Muscle Between 2 Surgical Conditions in Dog: The Comparison of Furlow and Pushback Methods.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to compare the velopharyngeal function among the beagle dogs which the levator veli palatini (LVP) muscles construction has been experimentally changed.

METHODS

Four groups of LVP muscle reconstruction were made (normal LVP, cut LVP, end-to-end sutured LVP, and overlapped-sutured LVP at the midline). Levator veli palatini contraction was induced by electrical stimulation or a hypercapnia condition to analyze the strength of the velopharyngeal closure using balloon with a blood pressure meter, and the electromyogram in those operated beagle dogs.

RESULTS

Under a hypercapnia condition, the velopharyngeal function did not differ significantly among the 4 groups in the terms of velopharyngeal pressure. The strongest closure was shown at the overlapped sutured LVP group by electrical stimulation.

CONCLUSION

The reconstruction of overlapped sutured LVP showed the most effective closure. This study suggested that the palatoplasty should be conducted along the overlapped LVP (like Furlow method).