Use of nasopharyngeal tubes as aids to lateral port construction and maintenance of the airway in pharyngeal flap surgery.

We suggest the bilateral placement of nasopharyngeal tubes of appropriate size as a simple aid in constructing lateral ports of the correct size when doing a superiorly-based, lined, pharyngeal flap for velopharyngeal incompetence. If one leaves the tubes in for 24 to 48 hours postoperatively, they are of great help in maintaining a clear airway during that period.