The use of dermis-fat graft in oro-nasal fistula repair.

Aim of the study: To evaluate the use of dermis-fat graft as autogenous tissue to achieve three layers closure of the palatal fistula. One of the most devastating complication that follows cleft palate surgery is oro- nasal fistula. It can lead to many problems like fluid and food regurgitation, poor oral hygiene and retropharyngeal incompetence. The repair of palatal fistula had long presented a remarkable challenge to the plastic surgeon. Repair of these fistulae required the use of more than the usual two-layered closure procedures; demanding the introduction of a 'Third layer' of tissue to enhance smooth healing, and thereby reduce the chance of closure failure which predispose to fistulization. In this study we used an autogenous graft of " dermis and fat (dermis-fat) graft " to serve as the third protective, supportive and enhancive layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]