ZAKARİA AZİZ, NAOUAR IBNOUELGHAZİ, JİNANE KHARBOUCH, NADİA MANSOURİ HATTAB, SALMA ABOULOUİDAD
Aim: The tongue is a most suitable donor site for the closure of cleft palate fistulae. The aim of this prospective study was to reassess the efficacy of tongue flap technique.
Patients and Methods: 4 cleft patients who underwent reconstruction by anteriorly based tongue flap between 2015 and 2017 were studied. Variables such as flap's ability to close the fistula, the remaining tongue shape at least 1 year after surgery, and speech improvement (patient's self-assessment and parents’ opinion) were evaluated.
Results: 4 cases presenting with type IV palatal fistulae and one type V were operated on using a double-layer closure with tongue flap. The average age at the time of the intervention was 68,5 years. The initial malformation was a complete unilateral cleft for 2 patients, and a palate velar cleft for the 2 others. The size of the fistulas was variable in length (7 to 12 mm). The procedure was successful as no recurrence of fistula was noticed at an average follow-up of 18 months, with full recovery of tongue esthetic and function.
Conclusion: Tongue flaps are used in cleft palate surgery because of their excellent vascularity, and the large amount of tissue that they provide has made tongue flaps particularly appropriate for the repair of large fistulas in palates scarred by previous surgery. We recommend this as a reliable surgical technique for the closure of palatal fistulas.
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Anahtar Kelimeler
tongue flap, palate fistulae, reconstructive surgical procedure