[Experience with Furlow's palatoplasty and its preliminary result]

The palatal muscle reconstruction has become an essential part of cleft palate repair. Sixty-one cases of various cleft palate and velopharyngeal incompetence after palatoplasty repair using the Furlow's double Z-plasty technique have been reported. A description of our surgical procedure along with the follow-up of 40 cases 1/2 to 1 year after operation demonstrate the advantages of the Furlow's palatoplasty. Our preliminary follow-up results show that the palatal competence rates are 90.5% in 21 cases of nasopharyngoscopic examination and 83.7% in 37 cases of still lateral X-ray radiograph. For maintaining adequate muscle reposition and soft palate pushback, the unilateral or bilateral mucoperiosteal flaps from hard palate are recommended in wider cleft palate. The design and some key points in the Furlow's palatoplasty are also discussed.