Submucous cleft palate: a 10-year series

Twenty-nine consecutive patients with submucous cleft palate were treated at the University of Florida during the 10-year period from 1986 to 1996. Twenty-seven patients were available for speech follow-up. The evaluation of these patients and rationale for treatment are discussed. The largest subgroup of patients were treated with the Furlow Z-plasty palatoplasty, which yielded a successful outcome in 15 of 18 patients, or 83%. The overall success rate was 96%. The Furlow Z-plasty palatoplasty was noted to have a very high rate of success for patients with velopharyngeal gaps of 8 mm or less, and less likelihood of success when the velopharyngeal gap exceeded 8 mm.