Palatoplasty is a surgical procedure to reconstruct or repair the soft palate. It is usually performed on children with cleft palates, but it can also be used on adults with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)—a condition in which the soft palate doesn't close properly during speech, causing a nasal-sounding voice or air leakage.

The surgery involves repositioning and suturing the soft palate muscles to improve closure during speaking and swallowing. It's done under general anesthesia, and recovery usually involves a soft diet, pain management, and speech therapy. Children often begin to speak more clearly within weeks, though long-term therapy may be needed. In adults, it may improve speech quality and reduce nasal regurgitation of food. Risks include wound breakdown, fistula formation, or the need for additional surgeries, but most patients experience clear functional gains.