• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.518-524
• /
• 2019

Background Anterior palatal repair performed during cleft lip repair using a vomerine flap may assist in recruiting additional soft tissue for subsequent completion of palatoplasty, especially in patients with a wide cleft. We present our early results in the hope of triggering a re-evaluation of this technique regarding its advantages for maxillary growth through further studies of patients with a wide cleft. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients with complete unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate was performed, including cleft and palatal measurements taken during initial surgery (lip repair together with anterior palate repair) and upon completion of palatoplasty. Results In total, 14 patients were included in this study, of whom nine (63.3%) had unilateral cleft lip and palate and five (37.5%) had bilateral cleft. All patients had a wide cleft palate. Lip and anterior palate repair was done at a median age of 3 months, while completion of palatoplasty was done at a median age of 10.5 months. Measurements taken upon completion of palatoplasty showed significant cleft width reduction in the mid-palate and intertubercle regions; however, the palatal arch distances at nearby landmarks showed non-significant marginal changes. Conclusions Anterior palate repair using a vomerine flap significantly reduced the remaining cleft width, while the palatal width remained. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of this technique in wide cleft patients in terms of facial growth.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.97-103
• /
• 2013

Background Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) may persist after primary repair of the cleft palate, and surgical correction is necessary in many cases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of double opposing Z-plasty (DOZ) in cleft palate patients suffering from VPI after primary two-flap palatoplasty. Methods Between March 1999 and August 2005, we identified 82 patients who underwent two-flap palatoplasty for cleft palate repair. After excluding the patients with congenital syndrome and mental retardation, 13 patients were included in the final study group. The average age of the patients who underwent DOZ at was 5 years and 1 month. Resonance, nasal emission, and articulation were evaluated by a speech pathologist. The velopharyngeal gaps were measured before and after surgery. Results Six patients attained normal speech capabilities after DOZ. The hypernasality grade was significantly improved after surgery in all of the patients (P=0.0015). Whereas nasal emission disappeared in 8 patients (61.5%), it was diminished but still persisted in the remaining 5 patients. Articulation was improved in all of the cases. In two cases, the velopharyngeal gap was measured using a ruler. The gap decreased from 11.5 to 7 mm in one case, and from 12.5 to 8 mm in the second case. Conclusions The use of DOZ as a surgical option to correct VPI has many advantages compared with other procedures. These include short surgery time, few troublesome complications, and no harmful effects on the dynamic physiological functioning of the pharynx. This study shows that DOZ can be another option for surgical treatment of patients with VPI after two-flap palatoplasty.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.381-385
• /
• 2009

Objective : The objective of this study was to compare the surgical techniques for the correction of congenital cleft palate. Techniques and approaches : Four-hundred-sixity patients operated between 1993 and 2008 were included in this study. The collected data were age, sex, operating time, admission days, and complications. The comparison between techniques were done by independent t-test. Results: The majority (86.9 %) of patients were received the operation later than 1.5 years old. The distribution of each surgical technique was 43.8 % by Bardach palatoplasty, 11.9 % by Furlow palatoplasty, 1.8 % by Veau palatoplasty, and 42.4 % by the new technique developed by us. Postoperative complication such as wound dehiscence, formation of oro-nasal fistulas in the soft and hard palates were shown in 23.0 % of Bardach technique, 44.2 % of Furlow technique, and 37.5 % of Veau technique. However, only 5.4 % of patients were shown complications in our technique (P<0.001). The operation time was recorded 70 minutes under new technique while the others were 110 minutes (P<0.001). The clinical treatment at hospital was required 7.4 days for our technique and 11.3-15.5 days for the other methods. Conclusion : The surgical treatment of congenital cleft palate in Mongolia was conducted later than proper timing for surgery. As the results were indicated, our new technique should be considered for the correction of cleft palate in old aged patients.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.42
• /
• pp.8.1-8.5
• /
• 2020

Background: The cause of maxillary growth restriction in patients with cleft lip and palate remains controversial. While studies have investigated the effects surgical technique and timing have on maxillary growth, few focus on patients with isolated cleft palate (ICP). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact palate repair and its associated complications may have on maxillary growth. Methods: A retrospective chart review of ICP patients who underwent palatoplasty from 1962 to 1999 at Akron Children's Hospital was performed. Patient demographics, Veau type, age at primary repair, closure technique, presence of fistula or velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), number of palatal operations, maxillary hypoplasia (MH) frequency, and follow-up were recorded. Exclusion criteria included patients with cleft lip, submucous cleft, or syndromes. Results: Twenty-nine non-syndromic ICP patients were identified; 62% (n = 18) had Veau type 1 and 38% (n = 11) had Veau type 2. All patients underwent 2-flap or Furlow palatoplasty with mobilization of mucoperiosteal flaps. Vomerine flaps were used in all Veau 2 cleft palate closures. Palatoplasty was performed at a mean age of 19.9 ± 8.2 months. Average follow-up was 209 ± 66.5 months. The rate of VPI was 59% (n = 17) and the rate of oronasal fistula was 14% (n = 4). Conclusions: There was a low incidence of MH despite complications after initial palate closure. Our results seem to suggest that age at palate closure, type of cleft palate, and type of surgical technique may not be associated with MH. Additionally, subsequent procedures and complications after primary palatoplasty such as VPI and palatal fistula may not restrict maxillary growth.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.39
• /
• pp.24.1-24.6
• /
• 2017

Background: Tunneled transposition of the facial artery myomucosal (FAMM) island flap on the lingual side of the mandible has been reported for intraoral as well as oropharyngeal reconstruction. This modified technique overcomes the limitations of short range and dentition and further confirms the flexibility of the flap. This paper presents a case of reconstructing secondary soft palatal defect due to flap necrosis following two-flap palatoplasty in irradiated patient with lingually transposed facial artery myomucosal island flap. Case presentation: The authors successfully reconstructed secondary soft palatal defect due to flap necrosis following two-flap palatoplasty in an irradiated 59-year-old female patient with tunnelized-facial artery myomucosal island flap (t-FAMMIF). Conclusions: Islanding and tunneling modification extends the versatility of the FAMM flap in the reconstruction of soft palatal defects post tumor excision and even after radiation, giving a great range of rotation and eliminating the need for revision in a second stage procedure. The authors thus highly recommend this versatile flap for the reconstruction of small and medium-sized oral defects.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.209-213
• /
• 2021

Primary palatoplasty for cleft palate places patients at high risk for scarring, altered vascularity, and persistent tension. Palatal fistulas are a challenging complication of primary palatoplasty that typically form around the hard palate-soft palate junction. Repairing palatal fistulas, particularly wide fistulas, is extremely difficult because there are not many choices for closure. However, a few techniques are commonly used to close the remaining fistula after primary palatoplasty. Herein, we report the revision of a palatal fistula using a pedicled buccal fat pad and palatal lengthening with a buccinator myomucosal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty to treat a patient with a wide palatal fistula. Tension-free closure of the palatal fistula was achieved, as well as velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) correction. This surgical method enhanced healing, minimized palatal contracture and shortening, and reduced the risk of infection. The palate healed with mucosalization at 2 weeks, and no complications were noted after 4 years of follow-up. Therefore, these flaps should be considered as an option for closure of large oronasal fistulas and VPI correction in young patients with wide palatal defects and VPI.

• Proceedings of The Korean Cleft Lip And Palate Association
• /
• 2002.05a
• /
• pp.11-11
• /
• 2002

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.49-54
• /
• 1990

Ten cleft palate patients were operated with reconstruction of levator sling without pushback for the purpose of not to make raw surface in the anterior portion of hard palate to prevent maxillary retrognathia. Speech was evaluated by using speech assessment list. Maxillary growth was not evaluated due to in-growing age in majority patient. The report will be followed in next chance. We could impose the significance in clinical application of levator sling palatoplasty without any complications but improving speech.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.308-312
• /
• 2006

Time to time, we face patients who missed the proper time for primary palatal repair. Although we do not have enough available documents, it is important to establish efficacy of palatal repair in patients more than 4 years old. From May 1995 to March 2005, we selected 14 patients who underwent palatal repair in more than 4 years old patients and they are able to tolerate speech articulation tests. Out of 14 patients 5 males an 9 females in sex, aged form 4 to 50 years old. 6 patients with incomplete cleft palate and 8 patients with submucous cleft palate. Double reversing Z-plasty(n=5), pushback palatoplasty(n=4), two flap palatoplasty(n=2), von Langenbeck palatoplasty(n=2), and intravelar veloplasty(n=1) were performed. Preoperative and postoperative speech articulation test, "Simple method of speech evaluation in Korean patients with cleft palate", were conducted. Satisfaction rate was sorted into 5 levels. There is no significant statistical correlation in the speech improvement, satisfaction rate, patients sex, cleft type and operative method. But there is significant statistical correlation between the speech improvement and patienet's age. There were better result in younger patient group than aged patients group.

• Korean Journal of Cleft Lip And Palate
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 2006

Cleft palate is one of the most devastating congenital facial deformities frequently accompanied by cleft lip. In many cases, it causes phonetic and swallowing difficulties although surgical interventionwas applied. Among the surgical methods, Veau-Wardill-Kilner pushback palatoplasty (V-Y reposition) is widely used in the most cleft palate cases. It is designed to lengthen the palate posteriorly, hence to overcome the speech and swallowing problems, but broad postoperative palatal scar might interfere the normal maxillary growth. If the velar muscles were not reoriented, it could result in incomplete speech recovery. In this case report, the modified two-flap palatoplasty with minimal pushback was successfully applied to a 21 month-old girl who has had incomplete cleft palate extended to the posterior third of hard palate. The speech evaluation was confirmed as functional reconstruction of cleft palate was achieved.