Evaluation of the role of tongue flap in recurrent large palatal fistula repair | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | ||
| Article 8, Volume 12, Issue 1, January 2021, Pages 66-69 PDF (1.09 M) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/omx.2021.64123.1111 | ||
| Author | ||
| Mohamed Abdeldayem* | ||
| Department of Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: The formation of the palatal fistula is a known complication of palatoplasty. The most frequent risk factors are vascular accidents, poor surgical technique, or even infection. However, large recurrent fistula showed poor prognosis with local flaps. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the role of tongue flap in recurrent large palatal fistula repair. Patients and Methods: The author recruited 15 pediatric patients during a period of fourteen-month. The primary diagnosis of the included sample was a non-native recurrent palatal fistula. Tongue flap repair of the recurrent palatal fistula was performed in all 15 patients. The flaps were separated after three weeks, and the final inset was done. Flap viability, fistula closure, residual tongue function, operation time, and speech problems were assessed. Results: In all the patients, the fistula was closed primarily by tongue flap. None of the patients developed flap necrosis. Neither donor-site morbidity nor functional deformity of the tongue was seen. The operative time ranged from 40 minutes up to 60 minutes in 87 % of the patients. The speech was improved in all cases. Conclusion: The excellent vascularity, central position, mobility, and versatility of the tongue flap make it the perfect choice for repairing large fistula in palates injured by previous surgery. Children very well tolerate it. We, therefore, recommend tongue flap for large recurrent palatal fistula in children. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Cleft palate; Palatal fistula and Tongue flap | ||
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