Closure of Anterior Palatal Fistula by Tongue Flap: A Prospective Study

To check the efficacy of dorsal tongue flap in closure of anterior palatal fistula without using any fixation devices.

It is a prospective study in which 20 patients of anterior palatal fistula, larger than 5 mm, attending the outpatient department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Genesis Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Ferozpur over a period of 5 years (from November 2005 to January 2011) were included. The surgical treatment was divided into 2 stages-raising of the flap on the tongue and transfer of the flap from the dorsum of the tongue to fistula site and then separation of flap and its adjustment at the site of defect after an interval of 3 weeks minimum. Follow-up was done for 3 and 6 months.

Successful closure was achieved in 90 % of the cases. 80 % patients experienced decrease in hypernasality. In none of the cases decrease in size of tongue, loss or change in taste sensation, difficulty in speech, difficulty in swallowing or bulkiness of flap was observed.

The results obtained during the course of this study strongly support the method used to close the anterior palatal fistula. It is concluded that the dorsal tongue flap is the highly successful method without the need of additional fixation devices in closure of anterior palatal fistula.