FREE FOREARM FLAP FOR CLOSURE OF DIFFICULT ORONASAL FISTULAS IN CLEFT-PALATE PATIENTS

There were four patients with palatal clefts who had been operated on many times previously but who still had large oronasal defects due to wound disruption. Moreover, there was considerable scar in the residual palatal tissue, which was contracted in the anteroposterior dimension. These patients were treated with a radial forearm flap transfer. The technical aspects of this reconstruction are emphasized, especially methods to enhance primary healing and to facilitate insetting the flap. Three of the patients were successfully reconstructed with one operation. The fourth had a small area of dehiscence anteriorly that was later closed with advancement of the flap tissue. There were no other complications. With the replacement of healthy tissue, the palate could be pushed further back to achieve better repair of the muscle. This would contribute to better speech function. In every patient, nasal regurgitation was eliminated, and speech quality improved significantly. The radial forearm flap is ideal for intraoral use, providing thin, hairless skin with a long, large-caliber vascular pedicle. It can reconstruct defects in one stage with well-vascularized tissue and minimal dissection of the palate. In a select group of cleft palate patients, this free-tissue transfer should be considered to achieve closure of large oronasal fistulas in patients with dense scar.