Correction of palatine fistulas with a musculo-mucosal buccinator flap: results of 6 cases after 27 years

Abstract

Introduction: The buccal musculo-mucosal patch, described in 1989, can be used to correct palatine fistulas and fissures with stretching of the soft palate, or to cover bloody areas after tumor resection. Methods: This is an analysis of the 27-year postoperative results for 6 patients who underwent operation at Base Hospital and Santa Casa de São José do Rio Preto between 1984 and 1989, and reassessed in 2016, when a myo-buccinator mucosa was used for cleft palate correction. Results: Of the 36 operated cases, 6 were reevaluated after 27 years, of which 5 had primary correction and 1 had a secondary correction (fistula after cleft palate closure). All the cases had satisfactory results in terms of maxillary growth, correction of the palatine fistula, and speech function. Conclusion: Although not statistically significant, the present study demonstrated that the buccal musculo-mucosal flap is an adequate procedure for correction and stretching of the palate, with normal or near-normal maxillary growth and practically normal speech even without adequate phono-audiological treatment.

Keywords

• cleft palate
• cleft lip
• velopharyngeal insufficiency
• surgical flap
• fistula