The closure of postpalatoplasty fistula with local turn-down flap

The three common complications after cleft palate repair are velopharyngeal incompetence, delayed maxillary growth, and fistula formation. Fistula formation rates are reported 0-76% in the literature. Wider palatal defects are more challenging to avoid excess tension, and recent reports suggest defects >15 mm have a significantly higher risk of fistula formation. By localization, the fistulas are divided into seven groups with Pittsburgh fistula classification system (PFCS). The timing of treatment of fistula can vary considerably, and a recurrence rate after surgical correction ranges 10-37%.

Three patients with fistula in the hard palate (PFCS-4) in size 7-12 mm, between 2010 and 2012, who underwent fistula repair with local turn-down flap. In two cases, surgery was the first fistula repair and was the second repair in one case. The incisions in the frontal and bilateral edges were made around the fistula, in the distal side of fistula incision was made 3-5 mm longer than fistula size in the oral mucosa, and separate oral and nasal mucosa was rendered by organizing flap. This flap was turn-down and closed nasal side of fistula. The oral side of fistula was closed with the two-flap procedure by Bardach technique.

The postoperative wound was covered initially in all cases.

We believe this two layer method for correction big palatal fistula is simpler than tongue, and buccal flap and patients need only intervention in this case. In addition, this method involves more effective usage of mucosal tissues bilaterally for closure on the oral side of the defect.