A procedure combining double opposing Z-plasty with buccal flap and skin graft for a cleft palate patient with short palate

Abstract

Cleft palate patients with a short palate are sometimes encountered and it is difficult to achieve effective primary palatoplasty and good speech in these cases. Our purpose was to establish an effective palatoplasty for a cleft palate patient with Randall type III short palate. Buccal musculomucosal flap on the nasal side and skin graft on the oral side were performed, along with double opposing Z-plasty. Speech improved postoperation. This procedure brought the nasopharyngeal area closer to the normal anatomical state. In terms of disadvantages, the procedure is rather complicated and depends on the engraftment rate.

Keywords

• Cleft palate
• Short soft palate
• Buccal musculomucosal flap
• Randall classification
• Double opposing Z-plasty
• Furlow palatoplasty