Comparing surgical options for treating speech issues after cleft palate repair
Official title: Velopharyngeal insufficiency following cleft palate repair: a comparative effectiveness study of existing surgical procedures and identification of criteria to guide a personalized treatment approach
Funded at Phoenix Children's Hospital · NIH-11110668 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well different surgeries can help kids with speech problems caused by velopharyngeal insufficiency after cleft palate repair, using special imaging to better understand their needs and improve treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Phoenix Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Phoenix, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $39,547 |
| NIH project number | 3U01DE029750-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110668 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have undergone cleft palate repair and are experiencing speech difficulties due to VPI.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of cleft palate repair or who are not experiencing speech issues related to VPI may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), a condition that can occur after cleft palate repair, leading to speech difficulties. The study aims to compare different surgical procedures to determine their effectiveness in improving speech intelligibility. It utilizes nasopharyngoscopy, an imaging technique, to assess the anatomical factors contributing to VPI and to guide personalized treatment plans. By addressing the limitations of current assessment methods, the research seeks to enhance surgical decision-making for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective surgical treatments for children with speech issues related to cleft palate repair.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that personalized surgical approaches can improve outcomes for similar conditions, suggesting potential success for this comparative effectiveness study.
Where this research is happening
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Phoenix Children's Hospital
Phoenix, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sitzman, Thomas James — Phoenix Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Sitzman, Thomas James
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Comparing surgical options for treating speech issues after cleft palate repair
This study is looking at two types of surgeries to help kids with speech problems caused by a condition called velopharyngeal insufficiency after they’ve had cleft palate repair, to see which one works better and to find out what physical traits might help predict success.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.