Functional veloplasty in bilateral palatal palsy.

A new technique for the treatment of bilateral palatal palsy involves the submucosal transposition of the tensor palati muscles of both sides to form an active muscular sling for the elevation of the paralyzed soft palate. The effect of the rerouted tensor palati muscle on Eustachian tube function and its efficacy as a substitute for the levator palati muscle in lifting the soft palate was evaluated by animal experimentation. Subsequently, two patients with bilateral palatal palsy, who failed to show improvement during a six-month period, were treated successfully with this new surgical technique, "functional veloplasty", without complication.