What surgical procedure can be performed to treat velopharyngeal insufficiency?

Furlow palatoplasty is a surgical technique specifically designed to address velopharyngeal insufficiency, a condition where there is inadequate closure of the velopharyngeal mechanism during speech, leading to nasal air escape and speech difficulties. This procedure typically involves lengthening the soft palate and creating a more functional velopharyngeal valve, thereby enhancing the ability to close off the nasal cavity during phonation.

In the context of surgical treatments for velopharyngeal insufficiency, Furlow palatoplasty is well-regarded for its effectiveness in improving speech outcomes. The technique focuses on the anatomical structures involved in velopharyngeal closure, ensuring that the patient has improved function after the surgery.

While other options listed may involve modifications to the oral and pharyngeal regions, they do not primarily target the specific mechanism of velopharyngeal function. For example, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty is mainly aimed at addressing obstructive sleep apnea by removing excess tissue in the throat and improving airway patency, rhinoplasty focuses on altering the structure of the nose for cosmetic or functional reasons, and maxillary osteotomy is typically performed to correct skeletal deformities involving the jaw and may indirectly affect speech but is not a