Carotid artery mobilization prior to pharyngeal flap inset for patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

The management of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) poses a significant clinical challenge due to presence of a large velopharyngeal gap and a relatively high rate of internal carotid artery (ICA) medialization. To our knowledge, we are the first group to have successfully managed VPI in a series of seven pediatric patients with 22q11DS with medialized ICAs via a novel surgical technique involving carotid artery mobilization followed by pharyngeal flap insertion. Thus far, we have found this technique to be reliably safe with no significant morbidity and caregivers have reported postoperative improvement in speech, swallowing and nasal regurgitation symptoms. Herein, we provide a detailed description of our novel surgical approach, including an instructional video, for correction of VPI in patients with medialized ICAs, who have previously had limited management options. •Patients with 22q11DS and VPI have a relatively high rate of a medialized ICA.•ICA mobilization prior to pharyngeal flap inset is a reliably safe novel technique.•Results in noticeable postoperative improvement in speech and swallowing outcomes.