At Melbourne ENT in St Kilda East, palatoplasty is performed by expert ENT surgeons Dr Stephen Kleid and Dr Simon Braham. This surgery corrects or reconstructs the soft palate to treat conditions like snoring, sleep apnoea, cleft palate, and speech or swallowing issues.
What Is Palatoplasty?
Palatoplasty is surgery to reshape or repair the soft palate, the muscular area at the back of the roof of the mouth. It’s used to correct congenital issues (like cleft palate), improve speech, and reduce breathing issues during sleep by opening the airway. It may be done alone or combined with procedures like tonsillectomy or septoplasty.
Who Might Benefit?
You may need palatoplasty if you:
- Have a cleft or submucous cleft palate
- Experience obstructive sleep apnoea not managed by CPAP
- Snore heavily due to excess soft palate tissue
- Have speech that’s overly nasal (velopharyngeal insufficiency)
Benefits of Palatoplasty
- Clearer speech, especially in children
- Better swallowing and reduced aspiration risk
- Improved sleep and reduced snoring
- Enhanced quality of life and confidence
What to Expect During Consultation
Dr Kleid or Dr Braham will:
- Review your symptoms and goals
- Examine your oral cavity and airway
- Review past tests or order further assessments (e.g. sleep study or nasendoscopy)
- Discuss procedure details, risks, recovery, and answer questions
Surgical Overview
Palatoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia in an accredited hospital. Techniques vary depending on the condition:
- Cleft palate repair involves careful reconstruction of soft tissues
- Sleep-related cases may use anterior palatoplasty, UPPP, or CAPSO
- Surgery takes 1 to 2 hours and often includes additional airway procedures
Recovery
- Throat discomfort and swelling are common initially, the anesthetist will tailor the post operative medication to make your recovery as smooth as possible
- Most return to normal activity within a month
- Soft foods, rest, and voice care support healing
- Children may need post-op speech therapy
Risks
While rare, possible risks include:
- Bleeding or infection
- Temporary voice changes
- Swallowing difficulties
- Difficulties playing winded musical instruments
- Airway scarring or persistent symptoms
- Reactions to anaesthesia
Costs and Coverage
Costs depend on condition complexity and whether other procedures are combined. Medicare rebates and private health insurance may apply. Our team will provide a personalised quote and help with paperwork.
Palatoplasty Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)
Will palatoplasty affect the tone or sound of my voice?
Yes, it can. One of the goals of palatoplasty, especially in patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency, is to improve voice clarity. However, temporary changes in voice tone or resonance are common during recovery. In most cases, these resolve over time, and the end result is often improved speech quality.
Can I undergo palatoplasty if I’ve had previous throat or nasal surgery?
Yes, many patients who have undergone prior surgeries, including tonsillectomy or septoplasty, can still be candidates for palatoplasty. Your ENT surgeon will carefully assess previous surgical history to ensure the best approach is taken.
How does palatoplasty interact with other treatments for sleep apnoea like CPAP?
Medical sprays reduce inflammation or swelling, but they cannot correct physical narrowing or collapse caused by structural changes in cartilage or bone.
What are the signs that my child’s speech issues might be related to soft palate problems?
Speech that sounds excessively nasal, frequent mispronunciations of certain consonants, or difficulty forming pressure sounds (like “p” or “b”) may indicate a soft palate issue. A speech pathologist or ENT assessment can help clarify the cause.
Will I need speech therapy after palatoplasty?
If the surgery is performed to address speech issues, especially in children, speech therapy is often recommended post-operatively to maximise the benefits of the procedure. Adults may also benefit if speech function was affected.
How does the surgery differ between children and adults?
In children, the focus is often on repairing congenital defects and supporting development. In adults, the emphasis is more commonly on functional improvements related to breathing and sleep. Surgical techniques and post-operative care are tailored accordingly.
What lifestyle changes should I make before or after palatoplasty to support healing?
Avoid smoking and alcohol in the weeks before and after surgery, as these can impair healing. Staying hydrated, maintaining good oral hygiene, and following dietary guidelines strictly during recovery also promote optimal outcomes.
Sources:
- Does Palatoplasty Technique Impact Resolution of Eustachian Tube Dysfunction?
Vanderbilt University Medical Center – PMC (National Institutes of Health)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11909771/ - The Advantages and Disadvantages of Two Stages Palatoplasty
Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences
https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/11037 - Cleft Palate – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563128/ - Effect of Palatoplasty Technique on Otologic Outcomes in Children
ScienceDirect (Journal Article)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196070925000134 - The Use of Buccal Fat Pad Versus Buccal Mucosal Flap in Cleft Palatoplasty
Journal of Clinical Medicine – MDPI
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/9/3114 - The Rate of Secondary Speech Surgery After Cleft Palate Repair
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open (LWW Journals)
https://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/2025/02000/the_rate_of_secondary_speech_surgery_after_cleft.65.aspx - Palatal Osteogenesis After Cleft Palatoplasty: Does the Bone Grow?
The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal (SAGE Journals)
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10556656251347737
Contact Us
To find out if palatoplasty is the right solution for you or your child, please reach out to Dr Stephen Kleid at (03) 9038 1630 or visit his website, or contact Dr Simon Braham at (03) 9038 1311 or visit his website. Our team is here to support you through every step of your treatment journey.
Further Reading
- Read about Melbourne ENT’s Throat Concerns
- Read about Melbourne ENT’s Microlaryngoscopy Melbourne
- Read about Melbourne ENT’s Tracheal Shave / Adam’s Apple Reduction
- View Melbourne ENT’s Before and After Photos
Why Choose Dr Kleid ?
Dr Stephen Kleid,
Melbourne ENT Surgeon
MED0001052799
Dr Stephen Kleid is an experienced ENT Surgeon (Otolaryngologist) based in Melbourne with a passion for Septo-rhinoplasty, Septoplasty and a strong interest in Rhinoplasty Revision.
Qualifications
- AHPRA (Medical Board)
- MB, BS; FRACS (Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons)
- AAFPS – Member of the Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery
- AAFPRS – (International Member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons)
Dr Kleid’s Procedures
Why Choose Dr Braham ?
Dr Simon Braham,
Melbourne ENT Surgeon
MED0001144757
Dr Simon Braham MBBS (Hons) FRACS is an experienced Ear, Nose and Throat ENT Surgeon (Otolaryngologist) based in Melbourne, performing tonsil, grommet and sinus surgery for children & adults. He helps patients with breathing issues, snoring concerns and sleep disturbances.
Dr Braham’s Procedures
How can we help?
The Melbourne ENT Team takes pleasure in assisting you with any questions when considering a plastic surgery procedure. Please call the St Kilda East clinic in Melbourne between 9am – 5 pm on Weekdays.
What Next?
Want more information about your Procedure?
- Please read our website and blogs to find out more about your procedure and concerns
- For more information about pricing and payment methods, please visit our page on Surgery Payment Options.
- Talk to our Patient Care Team from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday
What to Bring to Your Consultation
- We encourage you to bring a friend or family member to accompany you, as they can provide an extra perspective and support throughout the process.
- It is important to take thorough notes and carefully review all the documents provided to you.
How to Book a Consultation
- A referral from your GP or Specialist is necessary to see a surgeon for a consultation.
- Check the guide to consultation fees and payment for Melbourne ENT plastic surgeons.
- Please contact us to book your consultation.