Some observations relative to the levator veli palatini muscles in the cleft palate

Three observations relative to the levator veli palatini muscles in the cleft palate patient are emphasized. They are: 1) the fascia of the levator muscle is readily identifiable and should be preserved intact during the dissection and retrodisplacement of the muscles during palatoplasty; 2) the levators are attached to the palatine bone via a tendon-like condenstation of muscle fibers; and 3) adequate release of the band-like attachment of soft tissue to the anteriolateral aspect of the levator is essential for optimal retrodisplacement of the muscle unit.