Lining the superiorly based pharyngeal flap

Developing a mucosal flap to line the nasal surface of a superiorly based pharyngeal flap can present technical difficulties, particularly in the scarred and immobile soft palate. Employing the technique described, the forward attachment of the pharyngeal flap to the nasal surface is made through a long, horizontal incision high in the soft palate. The dissection of the nasal lining is started at this point and carried posteriorly to provide a single broad mucosal flap, hinged near the margin of the velum, and turned backward to line the raw area of the pharyngeal flap. This minor variation in technique has made the operative procedure easier to perform, resulting in fewer complications.