A bilateral musculomucosal buccal flap method for cleft palate surgery

Purpose: This article introduces a new technique for the repair of cleft palate with a bilateral musculomucosal buccal flap. Patients and Methods: From 1990 to 2001, 26 patients with cleft palate of different types were treated for the repair of cleft palate with the bilateral musculomucosal buccal flaps. Their age ranged from 3 to 12 years (mean age, 6.4 years). They were followed up from 2 to 8 years. The velopharyngeal closure was examined by nasopharyngoscopy. Results: The postoperative results of all the patients who could be followed up were clearly satisfactory without any postoperative complications such as dehiscence or perforation or maxillary deformity. The velopharyngeal closure was satisfactory. Conclusion: Repair of cleft palate with bilateral musculomucosal buccal flaps is a very useful method for repairing cleft palate and possibly reduces postoperative complications of dehiscence, perforation, and growth retardation. (C) 2003 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.