A New Membrane Obturator Prothesis Concept for Soft Palate Defects (VELOMEMBRANE)

University Hospital of Bordeaux

Status

Completed

Conditions

Speech Disorders

Mouth Neoplasms

Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

Deglutition Disorders

Treatments

Device: Suersen and membraneous obturators evaluation

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT04009811

CHUBX 2018/34

Details and patient eligibility

About

When soft palate defects lead to palatal insufficiency, the patient's quality of life is affected by difficulties swallowing, hypernasality, and poor intelligibility of speech. If immediate surgical reconstruction is not an option, the patient may benefit from the placement of a rigid obturator prosthesis. Unfortunately, the residual muscle stumps are often unable to adequately move this stiff and inert obturator to properly restore the velopharyngeal valve function. The objective of this case report was to describe the use of a membrane obturator prosthesis that incorporates a dental dam to compensate for the soft palate defect.

Full description

The velopharyngeal sphincter seals the oropharynx from the nasopharynx during swallowing and speech. This three-dimensional muscular valve closes through the synergistic behavior of the soft palate and the lateral and posterior walls of the pharynx. A soft palate defect surgically acquired in the context of oral cancer may impede complete closure and lead to a palatopharyngeal insufficiency. The resultant airflow escape results in hypernasality, poor speech intelligibility, and swallowing problems (such as leakage of foods and fluids into the nasal airways). The best way to rehabilitate and restore chewing and swallowing is one of the top ten research priorities in head and neck cancer. When the velopharyngeal function cannot be immediately restored with surgical reconstruction, patients can benefit from an obturator prosthesis. This obturator is a rigid extension of acrylic resin positioned at the level of the hard palate that provides surface contact for the remaining musculature. Often, the residual muscle stumps cannot move adequately around this stiff and inert obturator to properly restore the velopharyngeal valve function. The resulting blockage, or free space between the tissues and obturator, is a main cause of prosthetic failure. Subsequently, in many cases, oral functions remain impaired, with a negative impact on the patient's quality of life.

The compensating treatment consists of a provisional removable partial denture (RPD) with a membrane obturator. The membrane consisted of a thick dental dam shaped with scissors to create a 10-mm overlap with the pharyngeal walls that was then perforated with four holes using punch pliers.

The follow-up ends after the last visit. However, our team can provide cares of any patient seeking for dental care, prosthetic treatments and routine follow-up.

Enrollment

4 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Adult over 18 year-old
Acquired loss of velar or palato-velar substance (maxillectomies of Class I and II a-d, Brown 2010) following the excision of a tumor
Indication of Suersen obturator prosthesis rehabilitation
Possible dental rehabilitation with removable prosthesis (retention and stability prosthetic provided without the use of glue, mouth opening allowing fingerprints, presence of saliva, dexterity allowing the insertion and removal of prostheses, as well as the cleaning of devices)
Having given their consent to participate in the study
Speaking French, knowing how to read it
Available and motivated for regular follow-up during the study period

Exclusion criteria

Child under 18
Allergy to acrylic resin
Radiotherapy or chemotherapy in progress
Surgery of the veil programmed during the 3 months necessary for the realization and the wearing of the prostheses.
Loss of congenital or traumatic palato-velar substance
Maxillectomies including orbital floor or total maxillectomy
Pregnant or lactating woman
Participation in another interventional study
Inability to give informed consent