[Repair of palatal fistulae in cleft patients]

[Palato velar fistulae in cleft palate]

Palatal fistulas after primary closure of a cleft palate are extremely variable ranging from 15 to 35%. When they are symptomatic, these fistulas affect feeding (nasal regurgitation to liquids, discharge, bad smells) and phonation (hypernasality that can hinder the precise assessment of velar incompetence). First of all, it is important to analyze the cause of the fistula, it helps to avoid early recurrences. The correction must apply to respect the 2 mucosal planes (nasal mucosa and oral mucosa), the only guarantee of surgical success. Different techniques are usually described: lingual flap, lifting of all palatal mucosa, flap hinge, blaster, FAMM. In all cases, postoperative care plays a key role in the success of the surgical correction.

Double palatal flap for oro-nasal fistula closure

INTRODUCTION

The management of oral fistula to the nose depends on its etiology, its size and its location. Here, we describe a simple technique, inspired by the ones initially developed by Bardach for cleft palates repair. The surgical alternatives are discussed.

TECHNICAL NOTE

The double palatal flap is a simple technique, allowing closure in a single session of a central or centro-lateral palate fistula. The key of this technique is the dissection between nasal and palate mucous layers, providing a sufficient amount of laxity to close the defect without tension.

DISCUSSION

The double palatal flap can cover centro-lateral palate mucosal fistulae. It provides both aesthetic and functional results in a single stage. Reliability, simplicity and quickness are its main advantages. Outcomes are usually simple; Velar insufficiency may occur, that can be corrected by speech therapy.

Posteriorly based lateral tongue flap for reconstruction of large palatal-alveolar fistulas in cleft patients

Background:

Large palatal fistula in cleft patients is a difficult situation, especially with previous multiple surgeries, which have led to severe scars in the palatal mucosa. Tongue flaps are useful aids in such situations.

Materials and Methods:

Seven cleft patients who were reconstructed by posteriorly based lateral tongue flap between 2005 and 2012 were studied. Variables such as flap-ability to close the fistula, remaining tongue shape at least 1 year after operation, and speech improvement (patients’ self-assessment) were evaluated.

Results:

Age range of the patients was 14‒45 years. The male-to-female ratio was 2/7. Posteriorly based lateral tongue flap effectively closed the large fistula in 6/7 of patients. The largest dimensions of fistula closed by this flap was 5 cm × 1.5 cm. Follow-up of 2‒7 years showed that the tongue never returned to the original size and remained asymmetrical. In addition, the nasal speech did not improve dramatically after the closure of large palatal/alveolar fistulas in this age group.

Conclusion:

Posteriorly based lateral tongue flap is an effective method to solve the problem of large palatal fistulas in adult cleft patients. The most useful indication for this flap is a large longitudinal palatal fistula, extending to the alveolar process. Asymmetrical tongue shape after surgery is the rule and speech improvement depends on patient's age and location of fistula.

Columellar flap for secondary cleft rhinoplasty with esthetic improvement of Millard's unilateral cheiloplasty scar

INTRODUCTION

Columellar cartilage graft helps improve esthetic results in secondary cleft rhinoplasty for patients presenting with cleft lips. However, inadequate skin coverage of the cartilaginous graft can result in columellar necrosis and graft loss. Moreover, the scar after Millard's primary cheiloplasty may not be esthetic. The aim of this article was to present the columellar flap technique to cover the columellar graft and to improve the scar after unilateral Millard's cheiloplasty.

TECHNICAL NOTE

The triangular flap is drawn on the edge of Millard's cheiloplasty scar. It is then moved in a V-Y fashion so as to cover the cartilaginous graft and improve the esthetic aspect of the new columella.

DISCUSSION

Four hundred and twelve teenage/adult rhinoplasties were performed in our department over 10 years (October 2001 to October 2011). This flap was used in 10 patients who were followed-up for at least 1 year. There were no severe postoperative complications. Millard's unilateral cheiloplasty scar was less visible. A prospective study is ongoing.