Palatal fistula closure using tongue flap

Abstract

Palatal fistula is a complication of cleft palate surgery. It can be due to suture dehiscence, hematoma, infection, or flap necrosis. Palatal fistula treatment is a challenge to surgeons. Treatment of fistula depends on its size, location, and surgeon experience. Because of a paucity of nearby tissue, it usually demands the incorporation of extra tissue from the surroundings for a successful outcome. Tongue flaps and buccal myomucosal flaps can be employed to add tissue from the surroundings. In this study, we describe a patient with a large palatal fistula repaired in stages with a good surgical outcome.

Keywords

• buccal flap
• palatal fistula
• tongue flap