Riitta H Lithovius1, Leena P Ylikontiola2, George K B Sándor3. 1. PhD candidate, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. 2. Director of Cleft Lip and Palate Program, Oulu University Hospital, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. 3. Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Oulu; Consultant, Oulu University Hospital; Professor of Tissue Engineering, BioMediTech, Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. Electronic address: George.sandor@uta.fi.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence of palatal fistulas after primary cleft palate repair. STUDY DESIGN: The study included 136 patients who were treated at the Oulu University Hospital cleft lip and palate center between 1998 and 2011. All patients were treated by the same surgeons with 1-stage palatoplasty closing the hard and soft palate concurrently. RESULTS: The overall frequency of postoperative fistula was 9.6% of patients. Patients with cleft lip and palate (20.0%) were more likely to develop postoperative palatal fistulas than patients with cleft palate (6.6%). Surgical technique and cleft severity were not significant factors for the development of palatal fistulas. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients undergoing primary palatal repair do not develop palatal fistulas.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence of palatal fistulas after primary cleft palate repair. STUDY DESIGN: The study included 136 patients who were treated at the Oulu University Hospital cleft lip and palate center between 1998 and 2011. All patients were treated by the same surgeons with 1-stage palatoplasty closing the hard and soft palate concurrently. RESULTS: The overall frequency of postoperative fistula was 9.6% of patients. Patients with cleft lip and palate (20.0%) were more likely to develop postoperative palatal fistulas than patients with cleft palate (6.6%). Surgical technique and cleft severity were not significant factors for the development of palatal fistulas. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients undergoing primary palatal repair do not develop palatal fistulas.