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Achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism, Involves several physical characteristics that can cause pre- and intraoperative respiratory problems. The characteristics Include rib-cage deformities, midface hypoplasia, choanal stenosis, muscular hypotonia, foramen magnum compression, and cervical abnormalities. Specific pre- and postoperative strategies for dealing with achondroplastic dwarfs are discussed.

A multidisciplinary International Working Group of scientists was assembled to address the question of standardizing reporting techniques for multiview videofluoroscopy and nasopharyngoscopy, the generally accepted standards for direct observation of the velopharyngeal valve. This report is a first attempt to propose standards while seeking feedback from the readership in order to further develop a common methodology.

The pharyngeal flap is the most popular surgical treatment for velopharyngeal incompetence following cleft palate repair. Presented in this article is an approach which matches the width of the pharyngeal flap to the velopharyngeal gap. Results of 120 cases treated by this method are presented.