The submucous cleft palate is a particular subgroup of cleft palate, a congenital condition associated with abnormal development of the soft palate and various extent of bony defect of the hard palate. Approximately 10% of these patients may have velopharyngeal insufficiency, most of them have been undiagnosed, so the study about submucous cleft palate is rare. This paper reviews the research progress in craniofacial potential of growth and development, the effect of surgery on craniofacial characteristics, and the relation with velopharyngel function of patients with submucous cleft palate.
