Abstract

SENDOTA HINCAPIE, Julio César; LOPEZ NORIEGA, Juan Carlos; RUIZ RODRIGUEZ, Rafael  and  SAMANO OSUNA, Ivonne. Palate fistula closure using tongue flaps in patients with cleft palate. Rev. Odont. Mex [online]. 2006, vol.10, n.3, pp.131-137. ISSN 1870-199X.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fo.1870199xp.2006.10.3.15901.

An oronasal fistule is the most common sequel after the surgical closure of cleft palate. The purpose of this paper is to report the experience with the use of tongue flaps for the closure of large anterior palatal fistulas with previous attempts of closing without success or fistulas larger than 1 cm after the primary palatoplas-ty, in patients with cleft palate sequelae. The surgical procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Thin tongue flaps with anterior base were carried out with two plane closure . The pedicle was cut between the 3rd and 4th week. Of 35 patients, satisfactory closing of the fistulas was obtained in 27 cases, four presented partial dehiscence, two total dehiscence, one partial necrosis and in another case the patient tore the pedicle intentionally. The results confirm what was reported by other authors in regard to the tongue flaps like a sure and effective option for closing a wide palatal fistulas after the primary palatoplasty or in cases where closing intents have previously failed.

Keywords : Tongue flap; palatal fistula; cleft palate.

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