Search

Objective: This study assesses the association between risk of secondary surgery for oronasal fistula following primary cleft palate repair and 2 hospital characteristics—cost-to-charge ratio (RCC) and case volume of cleft palate repair. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: This study utilized the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database, which consists of clinical and resource-utilization data from >49 hospitals in the United States. Patients and Participants: Patients undergoing primary cleft palate repair from 2004 to 2009 were abstracted from the PHIS database and followed up for oronasal fistula repair between 2004 and 2015. Main Outcome Measure(s): The primary outcome measure was whether patients underwent oronasal fistula repair after primary cleft palate repair. Results: Among 5745 patients from 45 institutions whom met inclusion criteria, 166 (3%) underwent oronasal fistula repair within 6 to 11 years of primary cleft palate repair. Primary palatoplasty at high-RCC facilities was associated with a higher rate of subsequent oronasal fistula repair (odds ratio [OR] = 1.84 [1.32-2.56], adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.81 [1.28-2.59]; P ≤ .001). Likelihood of surgery for oronasal fistula was independent of hospital case volume (OR = 0.83 [0.61-1.13], P = .233; AOR = 0.86 [0.62-1.20], P = .386). Patients with complete unilateral or bilateral cleft palate were more likely to receive oronasal fistula closure compared to those with unilateral-incomplete cleft palate (AOR = 2.09 [1.27-3.56], P = .005; AOR = 3.14 [1.80-5.58], P < .001). Conclusions: Subsequent need for oronasal fistula repair, while independent of hospital case volume for cleft palate repair, increased with increasing hospital RCC. Our study also corroborates complete cleft palate and cleft lip as risk factors for oronasal fistula.

Introduction: Oronasal fistulae following palatoplasty may affect patients’ quality of life by impacting their ability to eat, speak, and maintain oral hygiene. We aimed to quantify the impact of previous oronasal fistula repair on patients’ quality of life using patient-reported outcome psychometric tools. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 8- to 9-year-old patients with cleft palate and/or lip was completed. Patients who had a cleft team clinic between September 2018 and August 2019 were recruited. Participants were divided into 2 groups (no fistula, prior fistula repair). Differences in the individual CLEFT-Q and Child Oral Health Impact Profile-Short Form 19 (COHIP-SF 19) Oral Health scores between the 2 groups were evaluated using a multivariate analysis controlling for Veau classification and syndromic diagnosis. Results: Sixty patients with a history of cleft palate were included. Forty-two (70%) patients had an associated cleft lip. Thirty-two (53.3%) patients had no history of fistula and 28 (46.7%) patients had undergone a fistula repair. CLEFT-Q Dental, Jaw, and Speech Function were all higher in patients without a history of a fistula repair; however, none of these differences were statistically significant. The COHIP-SF 19 Oral Health score demonstrated a significantly lower score in the fistula group, indicating poorer oral health ( P = .05). Conclusions: One would expect that successful repair of a fistula would result in improved function and patient satisfaction, but the consistent trend toward lower CLEFT-Q scores and significantly increased COHIP-SF 19 Oral Health scores in our study group suggests that residual effects linger and that the morbidity of a fistula may not be completely treated with a secondary correction.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of oronasal fistulas (ONF) associated with primary repair of the anterior palate using a single-layered, superiorly based, vomer mucoperiosteal flap. Design: A systematic review of MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases using the keywords: “vomer flap” and “cleft palate repair” were carried out. A meta-analysis was performed using random effect modeling with stratified analysis by syndromic diagnosis, number of surgeons, and mean age. Main Outcome Measure(s): Incidence of ONFs. Results: The meta-analysis included 9 studies with a total of 464 children who met inclusion criteria. The overall ONF rate was 3.0% (95% CI: 1.0-9.0). Fistula rates were not significantly different in studies that included syndromic patients compared to studies that did not, 5.0% (95% CI: 1.0-24.0) versus 3.0% (95% CI: 1.0-6.0), respectively. There was no significant difference between studies in which there was a single surgeon versus multiple surgeons, 3.0% (95% CI: 1.0-13.0) versus 4.0% (95% CI: 1.0-8.0), respectively. Age at the time of cleft repair showed no statistically significant difference in fistula rate when comparing children with a mean age less than 12 months to those greater than 12 months, 3.0% (95% CI: 1.0-5.0) versus 5.0% (95% CI: 1.0-28.0), respectively. Conclusions: The vomer flap technique in cleft palate repair appears to be associated with a low ONF rate unaffected by syndromic diagnosis, number of surgeons, or patient age at time of repair.

Objective: To assess risk factors for oronasal fistula, including 2-stage palate repair. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: Tertiary children’s hospital. Patients: Patients with non-submucosal cleft palate whose entire cleft repair was completed at the study hospital between 2005 and 2013 with postsurgical follow-up. Interventions: Hierarchical binary logistic regression assessed predictive value of variables for fistula. Variables tested for inclusion were 2 stage repair, Veau classification, sex, age at surgery 1, age at surgery 2, surgeon volume, surgeon, insurance status, socioeconomic status, and syndrome. Variables were added to the model in order of significance and retained if significant at a .05 level. Main Outcome Measure: Postoperative fistula. Results: Of 584 palate repairs, 505 (87%) had follow-up, with an overall fistula rate of 10.1% (n = 51). Among single-stage repairs (n = 211), the fistula rate was 6.7%; it was 12.6% in 2-stage repairs (n = 294, P = .03). In the final model utilizing both single-stage and 2-stage patient data, significant predictors of fistula were 2-stage repair (odds ratio [OR]: 2.5, P = .012), surgeon volume, and surgeon. When examining only single-stage patients, higher surgeon volume was protective against fistula. In the model examining 2-stage patients, surgeon and age at hard palate repair were significant; older age at hard palate closure was protective for fistula, with an OR of 0.82 ( P = .046) for each additional 6 months in age at repair. Conclusions: Two-stage surgery, surgeon, and surgeon volume were significant predictors of fistula occurrence in all children, and older age at hard palate repair was protective in those with 2-stage repair.

Background: Humanitarian surgical organizations provide palatoplasties for patients without access to surgical care. Few organizations have evaluated the outcomes of these trips. This study evaluates the palatal fistula rate in patients from two cohorts in rural China and one in the United States. Methods: This study compared the odds of fistula formation among three cohorts whose palates were repaired between 2005 and 2009. One cohort included 97 Chinese patients operated on by teams from the United States and Canada under the auspices of Resurge International. They were compared to cohorts at Huaxi Stomatology Hospital and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Age, fistula presence, and Veau class were compared among cohorts using Chi-square tests. Logistic regression was used to analyze predictors of fistula formation. Results: The fistula risk was 35.4% in patients treated by humanitarian teams, 12.8% at Huaxi University Hospital and 2.5% at UCSF ( P < 0.001). Age and Veau class were associated with fistula formation (Age P = 0.0015; Veau P < 0.001). ReSurge and Huaxi patients had 20.2 and 5.6 times the odds of developing a fistula, respectively, compared to UCSF patients ( P < 0.01, both). A multivariable model controlling for surgical group, age, and gender showed an association between Veau class and the odds of fistula formation. Conclusions: Chinese children undergoing palatoplasty by international teams had higher odds of palatal fistula than children treated by Chinese surgeons in established institutions and children treated in the United States. More research is required to identify factors affecting complication rates in low-resource environments.

Objective: Oronasal fistula is an important complication of cleft palate repair that is frequently used to evaluate surgical quality, yet reliability of fistula classification has never been examined. The objective of this study was to determine the reliability of oronasal fistula classification both within individual surgeons and between multiple surgeons. Design: Using intraoral photographs of children with repaired cleft palate, surgeons rated the location of palatal fistulae using the Pittsburgh Fistula Classification System. Intrarater and interrater reliability scores were calculated for each region of the palate. Participants: Eight cleft surgeons rated photographs obtained from 29 children. Results: Within individual surgeons reliability for each region of the Pittsburgh classification ranged from moderate to almost perfect (κ = .60-.96). By contrast, reliability between surgeons was lower, ranging from fair to substantial (κ = .23-.70). Between-surgeon reliability was lowest for the junction of the soft and hard palates (κ = .23). Within-surgeon and between-surgeon reliability were almost perfect for the more general classification of fistula in the secondary palate (κ = .95 and κ = .83, respectively). Conclusions: This is the first reliability study of fistula classification. We show that the Pittsburgh Fistula Classification System is reliable when used by an individual surgeon, but less reliable when used among multiple surgeons. Comparisons of fistula occurrence among surgeons may be subject to less bias if they use the more general classification of “presence or absence of fistula of the secondary palate” rather than the Pittsburgh Fistula Classification System.

Objective: This study compares speech and surgical outcomes in internationally adopted and nonadopted patients undergoing cleft palate repair, and examines the influence of age at initial palatoplasty. Design: Retrospective cohort study setting: Tertiary Care Children’s Hospital. Patients: 70 international adoptees and 211 nonadoptees with Veau type III and IV clefts (without associated syndrome) repaired at our institution. Outcome Measures: Outcomes included VPI, compensatory misarticulations, intelligibility, nasal air emission, oronasal fistula, and secondary speech surgery. Speech evaluations completed near 5 years of age were gathered from a prospectively collected database. Results: Adoptees underwent palatoplasty 5.2 months after arrival, a mean of 10.4 months later than nonadoptees. Adoptees were significantly more likely to develop moderate/severe VPI and trended toward more frequent need for secondary speech surgery. Oronasal fistula occurred at similar rates. Increased age at initial palatoplasty was a significant predictor of moderate to severe VPI, and need for secondary speech surgery. Conclusions: International adoptees undergo palatoplasty 10.4 months later than nonadoptees and are significantly more likely to develop moderate/severe VPI, with a trend toward increased secondary speech surgery. An association between treatment delay and moderate/severe VPI and secondary speech surgery has been demonstrated. While a causal relationship between delayed repair and inferior outcomes in international adoptees has not been proven, this data suggests that surgical intervention upon unrepaired cleft palates soon after adoption may be beneficial. The opportunity for a change in practice exists, as half of the 10.4-month relative delay in palate repair occurs postadoption.

Objective: To review our experience with a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) protective shield used as an adjunct to protect the newly restored palate in wide bilateral cleft and complex fistula closure without diet restrictions. Design: Clinical cohort study. Setting: Division of Plastic Surgery and Maxillary Surgery. Patients: A selection of 22 cleft palate children undergoing (tertiary) palatal fistula repair (n = 16) or closure of a complex wide primary palatal defect (n = 6). Interventions: One month prior to surgery, a plaster model of the palate was made adding a 5- to 8-mm-thick layer of dental putty to the level of the dental arch. On top of the putty, a 1.5-mm-thick PMMA shield was created to cover the postoperative elevated and restored palate. Main outcome measures: Fistula recurrence rate, postoperative complications, days of hospitalization. Results: All patients maintained durable and safe palatal closure without fistula recurrence within the follow-up period, varying from 1 until 4 years. Recovery was fast, with a mean duration of hospitalization of 1.5 days. All patients could directly resume their normal diet. Conclusions: A PMMA shield has been shown to be a safe and helpful adjunct in complex fistula repair and late anterior palate repair.

Objective The purpose of this study was to present our experience with the closure of challenging palatal fistulae using the deepithelialized dorsal anterior tongue flap. We highlight the efficacy of suturing the tip of the tongue flap to the nasal septum for prevention of flap detachment. Design Prospective analysis of cleft patients with anterior palatal fistulae repaired by deepithelialized dorsal anterior tongue flap. Setting Institutional center. Patients/Participants A total of 30 patients with anterior palatal fistulae in the setting of previous cleft palate or fistula repair. Interventions Deepithelialized dorsal anterior tongue flap for treatment of anterior palatal fistulae. Outcome Measures Patients had repair using deepithelialized dorsal anterior tongue flap between 2011 and 2014. Patients’ photographs and clinical records were collected. The technique of flap harvesting and method of securing it in its position are described in this study. Results Patients were followed up over a mean period of 13.8 months to check flap viability, competent repair, and donor site function and aesthetics. All patients showed uneventful healing without complications. Conclusions This technique offered a secure method of palatal fistulae reconstruction. Further research is needed to show this technique's advantages and drawbacks.

Objective To analyze surgical complications after primary cleft palate repair in a setting with limited resources. Patients and Design A total of 1608 consecutive cleft palate repairs with 1408 follow-ups, operated upon between 2011 and 2013, were reviewed retrospectively through medical records. Patients were 10 months to 50 years old at the time of surgery, with a median age of 9 years. Setting Guwahati Comprehensive Cleft Care Center, Guwahati, India. Intervention Primary cleft palate repair. Main Outcome Measures Postoperative complications in terms of necrosis, dehiscence, fistula, infection, and “hanging palate” were assessed, as was perioperative bleeding. Logistic regression was used with complication (yes/no) as the binary dependent variable and with age, cleft type, and surgeon (visiting/long-term) as covariates. Results The overall incidence of postoperative complications was 16.9% with a fistula rate of 13.6%. The incidence of perioperative bleeding was 1.8%. Logistic regression analysis identified cleft severity ( P ≤ .001) and visiting surgeon ( P ≤ .01) as factors related to the incidence of postoperative complications. Age at surgery was related to both the incidence of postoperative complications ( P ≤ .001) and perioperative bleeding ( P < .05). Conclusion Due to increased risks of surgical complications, older patients with complete clefts should only be operated upon after careful consideration. In addition, these patients should be assigned to surgeons experienced with this cleft type.

Background Despite decades of craniofacial surgeons repairing cleft palates, there is no consensus for the rate of fistula formation following surgery. The authors present a meta-analysis of studies that reported on primary cleft palate to determine the rate of oronasal fistula and to identify risk factors for their development. Methods A literature search for the period between 2000 and 2012 was performed. Articles were queried and strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to focus on primary cleft palate repair. A meta-analysis of these data was conducted. Results The meta-analysis included 11 studies, comprising 2505 children. The rate of oronasal fistula development was 4.9% (95% confidence interval, 3.8% to 6.1%). When analyzing a larger cohort, there was a significant relationship between Veau classification and the occurrence of a fistula ( P < .001), with fistulae most prevalent in patients with a Veau IV cleft. The most common location for a fistula was at the soft palate-hard palate junction. One study used decellularized dermis in cleft repair with a fistula rate of 3.2%. Conclusions Using 11 studies comprising 2505 children, we find the rate of reported fistula occurrence to be 4.9%. Furthermore, patients with a Veau IV cleft are significantly more likely to develop an oronasal fistula. When fistulae do occur, they do so most often at the soft palate-hard palate junction. A deeper understanding of fistula formation will help cleft palate surgeons improve their outcomes in the operating room and will allow them to effectively communicate expectations with patients' families in the clinic.

Intranasal foreign bodies arising from dental clinical practice, especially in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) occur rarely and are very scarce in the literature. This article reports an unusual case of a dental impression material presenting as a foreign body in the nasal cavity of an adult with repaired CLP who presented for dental prosthetic rehabilitation. To our knowledge, this is only the second report presenting nasal foreign body in a cleft patient arising due to a dental impression procedure.

Objective To determine the incidence and most frequent anatomical locations of residual oronasal fistulas in children with different types of clefts who were treated at the University Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery in Ljubljana. Design Retrospective analysis of 857 consecutive patients with cleft born between 1984 and 2003. Results After primary surgical repair, 33 out of 857 (3.9%) children had residual oronasal fistulas. The incidence of clinically significant fistulas that required surgical repair was 17 of 857 (2.0%). In children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP), or isolated cleft palate (CP), the incidence of palatal fistulas was 23 of 644 (3.6%). Of these palatal fistulas, 12 (1.9%) were clinically significant. Oronasal fistulas were most frequently found in children with BCLP (9 of 88, 10.2%), followed by UCLP (12 of 215, 5.6%) and CP (12 of 341, 3.5%). No fistulas were found in children with unilateral cleft lip and alveolar ridge. In 10 cases (30.3%), the oronasal fistula remained in the alveolar ridge, in 11 cases (33.3%) in the anterior part of the hard palate, and in 11 cases (33.3%) at the junction of the hard and soft palates. In one case (3%), the records were lost. Conclusion The low incidence of oronasal fistulas is the result of a surgical technique and tensionless suturing, followed by a two-layer closure, two-stage palate repair in BCLP and UCLP patients, and preoperative orthopedics in UCLP cases.

Objectives To prospectively evaluate and reduce fistula rate after primary cleft palate repair in an academic setting. Methods After noting an institutional palate fistula rate of 35.8%, when a majority of palatoplasties were performed using the Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty, the decision was made to re-evaluate the surgical techniques used for palate repair. As part of our re-evaluation, Furlow and von Langenbeck repairs were limited to clefts less than 8 mm in width. Wider clefts were repaired early in the series with Veau-Wardill-Kilner and later with Bardach two-flap palatoplasties. Half of each palate repair was performed by the residents. Setting Multidisciplinary follow-up was obtained at the University of North Carolina Craniofacial Center. Results A palate fistula was noted in 2 (1.6%) out of 126 cleft palate repairs (both fistulas were located at the anterior hard palate). A split uvula was identified in 2 of 59 patients where the status of the uvula was reported (3.4%). Conclusion This study summarizes one of the lowest overall fistula rates reported in the literature. In a tertiary-care academic setting, plastic surgery residents can actively contribute to palatoplasty with a very low fistula rate. Technical keys to achieving low fistula rate include skeletonization of the vascular pedicle for medialization of the mucoperiosteal flaps, aggressive posterior repositioning of the levator muscle, and meticulous two-layer mattress-suture closure. We recommend Furlow repair for narrower clefts (less than 8 mm wide at the posterior border of the hard palate) and the Bardach two-flap palatoplasty for wider clefts.

Objective To review the clinical outcomes of our cleft palate team in terms of fistula rate and to determine whether gender, syndrome, cleft type, age at repair, operating surgeon, type of cleft repair, and cleft width influence the risk of fistula occurrence. Cleft palate repair was done in one- or two-stages. Design A retrospective analysis was performed of medical records of 275 patients who underwent palate repair and who were born between 1988 and 1997. All consecutive cleft (lip and) palate patients (including syndromes) were incorporated. Multivariate analysis was performed to look for predictors of the formation of fistulas. Results One hundred fifty-four and 121 patients underwent two-stage and one-stage repair, respectively. The median duration of follow-up was 9 years. The overall incidence of the formation of a fistula was 21%, with a recurrence rate of 9% after fistula repair. Three independent predictors of fistulization were found: palate repair in two stages, younger age at the second stage of a two-stage repair (≤3.0 years), and greater cleft width (≥13 mm). A fistula occurred in 27% of two-stage repairs versus 14% of one-stage repairs. Conclusions This study found a relatively high incidence of fistula formation after cleft palate repair. Although the study populations were not randomized, this study suggests that a two-stage closure has a higher rate of fistula formation when compared with a one-stage closure. This study demonstrates that cleft width at the time of cleft palate repair plays a crucial role in the development of fistulas.

A 41-year-old man with cleft palate presented with a wide dehiscence and missing teeth. Six implants had been placed for fabrication of an overdenture, which was unsatisfactory. A bar was waxed and cast for connection to the implants; precision attachments were placed laterally for retention. A fixed partial denture was fabricated, and milled crowns were fabricated at the molar region to provide a guiding plane for insertion of a removable palatal obturator. Good swallowing and speech outcomes were achieved. This technique provided functional and esthetic benefits, enhanced oral hygiene, and improved the psychological condition of the patient.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine whether bacteria cultured from oral swabs taken at the time of surgery predicted postoperative fistula formation. Design: The study was a prospective longitudinal audit. Setting: The setting was a designated U.K. N.H.S. cleft center. Patients: Subjects consisted of the patients of a single cleft surgeon who were undergoing surgery for cleft palate repair or cleft fistula repair. Interventions: Oral microbiological swabs were taken from patients while they were on the operating table just before surgery. Main outcome measures: The results from microbiological culture of the swabs were recorded, as was the presence or absence of a fistula at 6 months postoperatively. Additional collected information was related to the severity of the cleft, whether the operating microscope was used during surgery, and whether the patient had developed a postoperative upper respiratory tract infection. Results: Positive swab cultures were not significantly associated with fistula formation. Use of the operating microscope was not associated with an increase or decrease in the number of fistulas. A fistula developed in all patients who experienced a postoperative upper respiratory tract infection. Conclusions: The practice of performing routine preoperative mouth swabs should be abandoned because the presence of bacteria in the mouth does not increase the risk of fistula formation.

Objective: To review the clinical outcomes following the Furlow Z-plasty for primary cleft palate repair. The primary objective was to determine if the presence of an associated sequence or syndrome (i.e., Pierre Robin sequence), age at palate repair, cleft type, or surgeon experience influenced speech outcomes after a Furlow Z-plasty. Design: The outcomes of 140 patients who underwent palate repair were analyzed retrospectively. Speech evaluations were performed to score the severity of hypernasality, nasal escape, articulation errors, and velopharyngeal insufficiency. Results: The mean age at latest evaluation was 4 years 9 months (age range 2 years old to 12 years old and 4 months). Of the 140 patients, 83% had no evidence of hypernasality, 91% had no presence of nasal escape, and 69% had no articulation errors. Overall, 84% of patients had no evidence of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Secondary posterior pharyngeal flap to correct velopharyngeal insufficiency was required in only 2.1% of patients. The formation of an oronasal fistula occurred in only 3.6% of patients. Nonsyndromic patients with Pierre Robin sequence and syndromic patients did just as well as purely nonsyndromic patients in terms of velopharyngeal insufficiency, hypernasality, and nasal escape. Syndromic patients were more likely to make mild-to-moderate articulation errors. In addition, age at palate repair, cleft type, and surgeon experience had no statistically significant effect on speech results. Conclusions: The Furlow Z-plasty yielded excellent speech results in our patient population with minimal and acceptable rates of fistula formation, velopharyngeal insufficiency, and the need for additional corrective surgery.

Objective: An anterior hard palate fistula for which more than one attempt at repair using local tissue has failed is a difficult complication in cleft surgery. Prior to alveolar bone grafting, cleft patients have an open anterior maxillary arch that allows passage of a pedicled flap from cheek to hard palate. The superiorly based facial artery musculomucosal flap passed through the clefted alveolus is one of the newer techniques to solve this difficult problem. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of using a facial artery musculomucosal flap with an anterosuperiorly based pedicle with retrograde blood flow to repair a large anterior hard palate fistula when a lack of adequate local soft tissue precludes a local flap closure and the patient otherwise would need a tongue flap. Results: Of 16 facial artery musculomucosal flaps in 14 children, 12 were successful, 2 suffered partial flap loss secondary to venous congestion, and 2 had complete flap failure. One had a small wound dehiscence that resulted in a small posterior fistula. Conclusion: An anterosuperiorly based facial artery musculomucosal flap is a viable option to close large anterior hard palate defects. Care needs to be taken to ensure adequate venous drainage. This flap obviates the need for a staged tongue flap repair for those patients with an open maxillary arch.

BAS, BURCU/0000-0003-0593-3400; WOS: 000243465200019 PubMed: 17214539 Various techniques have been proposed for the repair of palatal clefts. The first surgical closure technique that should be kept in mind is the use of adjacent mucosal flaps. When the palatal cleft is too large to close with adjacent mucosal flaps, distant flaps such as from the tongue or nasolabial region may be considered. This report presents a cleft patient who had previously undergone an unsuccessful palatal cleft repair with a tongue flap. The size of the large palatal fistula was reduced by approximating the segments to each other with maxillary anterior segmental distraction osteogenesis to make it more manageable using conventional mucosal flaps.

Objective: To describe a modified procedure consisting of a mucoso-periosteal flap palatoplasty with a marginal musculo-mucosal flap (3M flap). This is also the first report of a primary repair for complete cleft palate using the 3M flap. We describe the lengthening effect of the nasal mucous layer of the soft palate and evaluate the fistula formation rate associated with this method. Methods: This procedure has been performed on 21 patients with unilateral complete clefts and on 27 patients with incomplete clefts. A mucoso-periosteal flap raised from the hard palate was used mainly for closure of the cleft and not for the push-back. The 3M flap repaired the deficit of the nasal mucosa, making sure that the soft palate was lengthened. Intravelar veloplasty was performed also. Results: The dimension of the nasal mucosal defect that can be filled with the 3M flap is 10 to 12 mm in length, oriented anterior-posterior, and 15 to 20 mm wide. Oronasal fistula formation was recognized in only 3 of 48 cases (2 of 21 complete clefts, 1 of 27 incomplete clefts) and were located at the hard-soft palate junction at the anterior portion of the 3M flap. Conclusions: This method has the theoretical advantages of (1) preventing fistula formation by filling the tissue deficiency with the 3M flap; (2) achieving better velopharyngeal function due to elongation of the soft palate and retropulsion of the muscular bundle, utilizing the 3M flap; and (3) minimizing maxillary growth retardation by adopting a non–push-back method of hard palate repair.

Objective To present a new comprehensive and simple classification of vomerine flaps for palatoplasty. Design This classification has been developed on the basis of a literature search and our clinical experience. The vomerine flaps have been classified into three types, each with A and B subtypes. Patients, Participants Vomerine tissue has been used in more than 1000 palatoplasties over the past 17 years. The analysis includes 678 cleft palate patients for whom detailed records were available. Type II-A vomerine flaps were used most commonly in unilateral cleft palate patients, whereas Type II-B1 flaps were used in bilateral cleft palate patients. Results The overall fistula rate at the hard and soft palate junction was 2.95%. Although facial growth pattern was not recorded, obvious midface growth abnormalities were not observed in any of these patients. Conclusions Vomerine tissue is available in the vicinity of the palatal defect. Raising of the vomerine flap is simple and safe. If properly designed, it can be used judiciously for closure of the nasal and oral defects in the cleft palate. We have used these flaps only to augment the nasal mucosal defect. This comprehensive classification will be useful in understanding, designing, and implementing these small, but very important, flaps.

Objective Unfortunately, not all patients receive the benefits of a well-trained, experienced, multidisciplinary cleft team, and a significant number of patients reach adulthood with severe neglected cleft related problems. The vast majority of this group have made their way through several surgical procedures, usually performed by different surgeons in different centers, and still carry the original cleft stigmata aggravated by variable degrees of maxillary hypoplasia, fistulae, scarring, muscle pull, soft tissue tension, lost teeth, dental adaptation, and instability of bony fragments. Adult patients who reach this stage with their original deformities have, in most instances, lost their best opportunity to be properly treated. With this assumption in mind, an aggressive surgical plan focused mainly on the deformities that can objectively achieve functional and aesthetical improvement should be individualized for each patient. In this article, experience with 38 consecutive adult patients with cleft managed following a two-stage protocol used at our cleft clinic for the last 4 years is presented. Conclusion An algorithm to help definitively solve these deformities is suggested.

Closure of a palatal fistula, especially after multiple recurrences, remains a complex reconstructive problem. Herein, salvage of a recurrent palatal fistula after a facial artery musculomucosal flap (FAMM) flap by use of the traditional waltzing (jumping, migration) principle of tubed pedicle flaps is presented and the principles are discussed.

Objective Patients with Treacher Collins syndrome have abnormal vascular supply to the palate, yet it is unknown whether there are increased postoperative healing problems following palatoplasty. This study investigated the correlation between Treacher Collins syndrome and postoperative palatal fistula formation. Design Retrospective chart review was performed. Patients Children undergoing palatoplasty at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles from 1987 to 2000 were evaluated. Ten children with Treacher Collins syndrome, 92 children with other syndromes and cleft palate, and 458 nonsyndromic patients with isolated cleft palate were studied. Interventions All children were treated with a one-stage, double-reversing Z-plasty cleft palate repair. Main Outcome Measures Outcome measures included intraoperative observations of surgical anatomy and postoperative clinic follow-up of fistula formation. Palatal fistula rates between patients with Treacher Collins syndrome, other syndromes, and no syndrome were compared with chi-square analysis. Results Children with Treacher Collins syndrome had significantly greater palatal fistula rates (50%) than children with other syndromes (8.7%) or no syndrome (4.1%). Treacher Collins patients demonstrated large palatal fistulas and poor flap vascularity. Conclusions Children with Treacher Collins syndrome and cleft palate have significantly higher palatal fistula risk than other children with cleft palate when double-reversing Z-plasty palate repair is performed. Our findings suggest that children with Treacher Collins syndrome and cleft palate may have poor vascularity to palatal flaps created during palatoplasty. Furthermore, we recommend that surgeons performing palatoplasty minimize the dissection of mucoperiosteal flaps around the greater palatine arterial pedicle and utilize closure techniques creating the least vascular disruption of palatal tissue.

Objective: Three case reports of microsurgically revascularized tissue transfer for secondary closure of complex oronasal fistulae in cleft lip and palate patients are reported. One scapular and two radial forearm flaps were used in that respect; the scapular flap was transferred without a skin paddle and was left for secondary epithelialization whereas iliac crest bone was transplanted in the two patients with the forearm flaps in a further surgical step. Conclusions: These microsurgical flaps represent solutions in selected cases of oronasal fistulae in patients with cleft lip and palate with extensive scarring, large defects, or both. Alternative free flaps of the vast spectrum available today, however, also deserve consideration.

Objective We present three new cases of congenital upper lip fistula. Two of them were located in the philtrum midline, one of which was associated to a double maxillary frenulum, a medial lip cleft, and a medial cleft of the primitive palate. The other was located in the left side of the vermilion. All three patients had clear fluid discharge through the fistulous orifice without pain. Two of them had a history of recurrent swelling of the philtrum area. Conclusions A simple surgical excision is the treatment of choice in these cases, in which the anatomy is preserved; this fact is more consistent with a completed but aberrant development than with focal dysgenesis.

Objective To compare growth, speech, and nasal symmetry outcomes of three methods of hard palate repair. Patients Consecutive available records of children born with unilateral bony complete cleft lip and palate over the period 1972 to 1992. Interventions Identical management of lip, nose, alveolus, and soft palate. Hard palate repair by Cuthbert Veau (CV) from 1972 to 1981, von Langenbeck (vL) from 1982 to 1989, or medial Langenbeck (ML) from 1989 to 1991. Outcome Measures For growth: GOSLON yardstick or 5-year model index. For speech: articulation test. Nasal anemometry. For nasal symmetry: Coghlan computer-based assessment. All these measures were developed during the period of data collection but not for this project. Results There was a strong trend toward more favorable anteroposterior maxillary growth with the change from CV to vL to ML techniques. This fell short of statistical significance because of the small sample size. There was a significant reduction in cleft-related articulation faults (p = .01) considered to be related to improved arch form. In the absence of improved rates of velopharyngeal insufficiency or nasal symmetry, increased surgical experience was discounted as a significant contribution to improved growth and articulation outcomes. Conclusions Reduced periosteal undermining and residual exposed palatal shelf from CV to vL to ML improved incisor relationships and articulation.

Objective This paper reports the experience with a two-stage approach to surgical correction of the complete cleft palate, wherein timing of the second stage is dependent on the judgment of the speech pathologist and the orthodontist together with the surgeon. Patients Of a total of 35 patients having complete unilateral clefts a sample of 22 were available for postsurgical assessment. The first-stage repair of the palate was carried out at an average age of 10.7 months (range 6 to 17 months), and the second-stage repair of the residual cleft was completed at an average age of 32.7 months (range 26 to 34 months). Interventions The first-stage repair of the soft palate defect involved mobilizing two short posteriorly based flaps, which extend onto the posterior quarter of the hard palate thus including up to 1 cm of mucoperiosteum. Careful freeing of the muscle is followed by an intravelar veloplasty. The later closure of the residual cleft involved turnover hinge flaps and small mucoperiosteal flaps. Results Eighty-seven percent of the sample had good to excellent speech as assessed by the Great Ormond Street screening method. Only two patients showed evidence of recessive maxillae with Class III malocclusions. Conclusions A two-stage surgical closure of the palate using this procedure would appear to confer several valuable advantages to the patient. These include favorable outcomes for speech in the large majority of cases and minimal adverse effects on the growth of the midface region.

Objective This investigation evaluated the results of alveolar bone grafting in patients with complete clefts, comparing secondary alveolar bone grafting (during the mixed stage of dentition) versus tertiary bone grafting (after completion of the second stage of dentition). Design This was a retrospective study. Of 140 osteoplasties, which all were operated according to the same standardized surgical technique, a clinical and roentgenological follow-up investigation was carried out in a collective of 85 osteoplasties. Clinically we searched for oronasal fistulae, assessed the periodontal status, determined the extent of the gingival attachment in the area of the osteoplasty, and searched for vertical growth disturbances in the area of the osteoplasty. Roentgenologically the height of the alveolar bone in the former clefted area was ascertained. Setting Records were obtained from a clinical and radiological study of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Medical University of Hannover (Germany). Interventions All patients were operated with the same standardized surgical method. The osteoplastic bridging of the alveolar cleft was performed via a vestibular gingival marginal incision and exclusively by grafting of cancellous bone from the iliac crest. Results The best results of alveolar bone grafting in cases of secondary osteoplasty were obtained when the lateral incisor or canine had grown into the transplant and had led to a functional stress of the transplanted bone. Approximately good results were to be found in tertiary osteoplasty when the transplanted bone had been stressed functionally through a dental implant. Comparing the secondary with the tertiary osteoplasty, there was a trend of lower resorption in secondary osteoplasty. Conclusions Secondary osteoplasty should represent an integral component of any concept for the comprehensive treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate.

Objective: When an alveolar cleft is too large to close with adjacent mucobuccal flaps or large secondary fistula following a primary bilateral palatoplasty exists, a one-stage procedure for bone grafting becomes challenging. In such a case, we have used the tongue flap to repair the fistula and cleft alveolus followed by bone grafting to the cleft defect performed several months later. The purpose of this article is to report on our experiences with the use of an anteriorly based Y-shaped tongue flap to fit the palatal and labial alveolar defects and on the ultimate result of the bone graft. Patients: A series of 14 patients were treated with this approach from January 1994 to December 1998. The average age of the patients was 15.8 years (range 5 to 28 years). The mean period of follow-up following the second stage bone graft operation was 45.9 months (range 9 to 68 months). In 9 of the 14 patients, the long-fork type of a Y-shaped tongue flap was used for extended coverage of the labial-side alveolar defects with the palatal fistula; in the remaining patients, the short-forked design was used. Results: All patients demonstrated a good clinical result after the initial repair of cleft alveolus and palatal fistula. There was no fistula recurrence, although partial necrosis of distal margin in long-forked tongue flap occurred in one patient. Furthermore, the bone graft, which was performed an average of 8 months after the tongue flap repair, was always successful. Occasionally, transferred tongue tissue bulging interfered with the hygienic care of nearby teeth; however, these problems could be solved with proper contour-plasty performed afterward. No donor site complications such as sensory disturbance, change in taste, limitations in tongue movement, normal speech impairments, or tongue disfigurement were encountered. Conclusion: This two-stage reconstruction of a bilateral cleft alveolus using a Y-shaped tongue flap and iliac bone graft was very successful. It may be indicated for a bilateral cleft alveolus patient in which the direct closure of the cleft defect with adjacent tissue or the buccal flap is not easy because of scarred fibrotic mucosa and accompanied residual palatal fistula.

Objective To review the history of cleft care in the United Kingdom and the rationale and methodology of a national study. Design Descriptive overview to introduce this series of papers. Setting Fifty National Health Service cleft teams. Patients/Participants Two age cohorts, 5-year-olds and 12-year-olds, with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate and their parents. Main Outcome Measures Facial development and appearance, quality of bone grafts, speech, oral health and patient/parent satisfaction. Conclusions The case for a national assessment of cleft care is made. The methodology of the cross-sectional outcome study is described, together with a survey of training for recently appointed clinicians.

Objective:To review the clinical outcome for patients with Van der Woude syndrome undergoing surgical excision of congenital lip sinuses.Design:Retrospective chart review.Setting:Multidisciplinary cleft-craniofacial team within a tertiary care hospital.Patients, Participants:Seventeen patients with Van der Woude syndrome were identified from hospital records as having cleft lip and/or palate surgery performed at the University of Iowa, and six of these patients underwent simple surgical excision of lower lip sinuses.Main outcome measures:Incidence of postoperative complications and number of surgeries required per patient for correction of lower lip defect.Results:All six patients undergoing surgical excision of lip sinuses had postoperative mucocele formation. These uniformly required one or two further surgeries for correction. There were no other complications associated with the procedures and no patient had a pre- or postoperative whistling deformity. Cosmetic outcome was thought to be satisfactory in all cases.Conclusions:Despite the overall improvement in cosmetic appearance following simple surgical excision of congenital lower lip sinuses, the high rate of mucocele formation and repeat surgery has led to cautious preoperative counseling regarding the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Objective The purpose of the study was to determine differences in articulation and nasality with obturation over time in children with a palatal fistula. Design Articulation and nasality were measured with the fistula open, immediately after obturation, and 4 to 7 weeks postobturation. Setting, Patients, Participants Subjects were 15 patients with a palatal fistula secondary to a repaired cleft palate who were seen through the Orofacial Program, Utah Department of Health, ranging in age from 4 years 6 months to 13 years 1 month. Interventions Acrylic palatal obturators were designed to provide coverage specific to the unique shape and location of each child's fistula. Obturators were cemented to molar teeth using wire clasps for control of usage. Main outcome Measures Measurements consisted of listener judgments of hypernasality, hyponasality, and nasal emissions; instrumental ratings of nasalance using the Nasometer 6200-2; and performance on a standardized articulation test. Results Significant improvement occurred only on nasal emission measures from the preobturation condition to immediate postobturation. However, significant improvement was found in articulation, listener judgments of hypernasality, nasal emissions, and Nasometric Nasal Sentence mean scores from the preobturation condition to 4 to 7 weeks postobturation and from the immediate postobturation condition to 4 to 7 weeks postobturation. No significant differences were found between conditions for listener judgments of hyponasality and Nasometric Zoo and Rainbow Passage scores. Obturation of the palatal fistula over a 4- to 7-week period resulted in no adverse effect on articulation ability, perceptual ratings of nasality, or instrumental ratings of nasalance. Conclusions Clinical management of patients with a palatal fistula can be enhanced with treatment using obturation over time. For subjects who continue to exhibit hypernasality immediately postobturation, sustained obturation is advocated prior to consideration of surgical intervention for treatment of a palatal fistula and/or velopharyngeal dysfunction.

Objective Oro-nasal fistula is a common complication of palatoplasty. Current methods for fistula repair utilize mucoperiosteal flaps or pedicled flaps. These procedures are often cumbersome and leave a raw nasal surface, which may increase the incidence of postoperative risks and problems. In addition, the recurrence rate of the fistula is as high as 34%. We propose a simple two-layer method of fistula repair to avoid recurrences. Design A standard mucoperiosteal flap is raised on the oral side. A buccal mucosal graft is harvested from the cheeks and sutured to the nasal side of the flap that is then inset into the fistula. Setting Patients were either referred to the senior author's private practice (four patients) or were patients who had previously been operated on by the senior author himself (three patients). Subjects Study subjects consisted of seven patients, four males and three females, ages 14 months to 8 years. All patients had previously undergone cleft palate repair, complicated by subsequent oro-nasal fistula formation. Interventions All patients underwent oro-nasal fistula repair under general anesthesia with a local mucoperiosteal flap lined with buccal mucosal grafts placed on the nasal side of the flap. Results In all cases, the fistula was completely closed at first attempt without complications. Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years, without evidence of recurrence. Conclusions Our proposed surgical procedure for fistula closure using a standard mucoperiosteal flap lined with a buccal mucosal graft is a suitable alternative for the repair of postpalatoplasty oro-nasal fistulas. Further study and long-term follow-up is needed to establish this method as a new standard form of repair.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between head posture and craniofacial morphology in nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate children with oronasal fistula. Patients: A total of 31 cleft lip and palate patients with a mean skeletal age of 7.59 (±2.11) years were involved. Fifteen had complete unilateral cleft lip and palate, 13 had complete bilateral cleft lip and palate, and three had complete cleft palate. Each of the cleft patients was matched with a noncleft Class I subject, on the basis of sex and skeletal age. Design: Lateral cephalograms were taken of all subjects in the standardized upright posture and in orthoposition. Sixteen postural parameters and 44 morphological parameters were evaluated. Results: The correlations with the cranio-cervical and mandibulo-cervical parameters indicated a trend of retrusion in the incisors with extention of the head. The positive nontopographical relationship between the nasolabial angle and some of the postural parameters supplemented the retrusion tendency in the upper incisors with head extension. Vertical skeletal morphological parameters correlated with the postural parameters. Cranio-cervical parameters seemed to be mostly related to mandibular position. Conclusion: Most of the cranio-cervical parameters measured confirmed an increased cranio-cervical angulation in the cleft sample when compared to controls. This head posture change was associated with alterations in tooth position and craniofacial morphology when comparisons were made to the control group.

ObjectivesCongenital sinuses or fistulas of the lip are uncommon malformations, yet true medial upper-lip fistulas (MULFs) are extremely rare. We present a new case of congenital upper-lip fistula located in the midline of the philtrum of an 8-month-old girl.InterventionComplete surgical removal was performed with a combined extra- and intraoral approach. Histological examination revealed that the fistula was lined by squamous epithelium with sebaceous and mucous glands and hair follicles.ResultsSeveral embryological hypotheses have been proposed concerning these anomalies. This article reexamines and discusses major embryological theories on pathogenesis of sinuses or fistulas of the upper lip. We propose that early ectodermal inclusion events may occur in the medial fusion area during formation of the intermaxillary process. This embryological approach is highly concordant with our recent hypothesis on nasal dermoid sinus cysts (NDSCs) pathogenesis, in which we proposed an embryological hypothesis with early ectodermal inclusion phenomenon in the midline suture area to explain NDSCs pathogenesis.ConclusionsCommon early ectodermal inclusion phenomena could be involved in both NDSCs and MULFs pathogenesis.

A seven month-old girl with bilateral choanal atresia presented to our institution with oro-nasal fistula secondary to a previous atresia repair. Examination revealed obstruction of both choanae and the presence of a fistula located in the hard palate. Endoscopic repair of the atresia and a two-layer closure of the fistula were carried out in one sitting. Follow-up of the patient for 6 months showed patent choanae and a healed palatal fistula.

Objectives Aerobic oral bacteria only rarely colonize the cleft nasal floor in patients with patent oronasal fistula. There are no studies that have investigated whether anaerobic oral flora colonize this site and whether attempting to culture them is useful for assessing the patency of oronasal fistulae in the clinic. Design A prospective study of 13 patients with cleft with patent unilateral oronasal fistulae. Microbiological culture swabs were taken from the oral cavity and both nasal floors, with the unaffected side being used as a control. Following aerobic and anaerobic culture, bacterial isolates were identified and compared. Main Outcome Measure A significant growth of anaerobic oral bacteria from the cleft nasal floor when compared with the unaffected side. Results Aerobic oral flora was cultured from the oral cavity in all 13 patients. A light growth of aerobic oral flora was found in the cleft nasal floor in two patients, and anaerobic oral flora was cultured from the cleft nasal floor in the same two patients. No statistical correlation was found between growth of anaerobic flora and the cleft nasal floor (p = .48). Conclusions Like aerobic oral flora, anaerobic oral bacteria would appear to only rarely colonize the cleft nasal floor in patients with oronasal fistulae. This additional investigation does not appear to be helpful in the assessment of oronasal fistulae in the clinic.

Objective: To determine if oral bacteria colonize the cleft nasal floor in patients with unilateral oronasal fistula when compared with the unaffected nasal floor and whether the results obtained would be of benefit in assessing oronasal fistulae in the clinic. Design: Prospective study of 26 patients with cleft palate and unilateral oronasal fistula. Microbiological culture swabs were taken from the mouth and nasal floors of patients. The unaffected nasal floor was used as a control. Bacterial isolates were identified and compared in the laboratory by a senior microbiologist. Main Outcomes Measure: A significant growth of oral bacteria from the cleft nasal floor when compared with the unaffected nasal floor. Results: Four patients were excluded because no growth was found on any culture plate. In the remaining 22 cases, a light growth of oral flora was found in the cleft nasal floor in only 3 patients. No statistical correlation between culture of oral bacteria and the cleft nasal floor could be found (p = .12). Conclusions: The relative lack of colonization of the cleft nasal floor by oral bacteria may reflect poor transmission of bacteria through the fistula, competition with commensal nasal flora, or an inability of oral bacteria to survive in a saliva-depleted area. The investigation is not helpful in the assessment of oronasal fistulae in the clinic.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare soft tissue tumor that was found incidentally in a repaired cleft palate oronasal fistula of a 3-year-old boy. This situation has yet to be reported in the literature. During this fistula repair, a small piece of tissue was sent for routine pathology, which showed embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. A literature review as well as diagnostic and treatment algorithms are discussed concerning management of this rare malignancy. Also, routine pathology should be reviewed carefully because unsuspected tissues may have pathologic findings that dramatically affect patient diagnosis and management.