Closure of anterior palate fistulae.

Attempts at closure of anterior palate fistulas using local tissue have resulted in a high rate of failure. In addition most of these patients have associated maxillary collapse which must be corrected prior to surgery. A technique using a buccal mucosal flap to gain unscarred tissue for the anterior closure and bone grafts to fill the bony defect has been performed in nineteen patients with anterior palate fistulas. The results have been satisfactory from a functional and esthetic standpoint. In addition associated deformities have been corrected simultaneously.