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Augmentation pharyngoplasty is a kind of plastic surgery for the pharynx when the tissue at the back of the mouth is not able to close properly. It is typically used to correct speech problems in children with cleft palate. It may also be used to correct problems from a tonsillectomy or because of degenerative diseases. After the surgery, patients have an easier time pronouncing certain sounds, such as 'p' and 't', and the voice may have a less nasal sound.
In this surgery, the posterior pharyngeal wall is moved forward, making it similar to an adenoid pad and closing the small gap that interferes with clear speech.
The tongue moves back in the mouth while pronouncing the letter 'k'. If the soft palate is cleft, air escapes and a nasal sound is produced instead. The surgery fixes this.
A small stretch of the tissue is attached to the soft palate.