SIMULTANEOUS REPAIR OF CLEF LIP AND HARD PALATE BY VOMER FLAP IN UNILATERAL COMPLETE CLEFT LIP AND PALATE

Magdy A. Abdelmoktader, Ahmed Taha, Moustafa S.A. Meky and Ibrahim A. El-Abd*

ABSTRACT

This study was done to evaluate the short-term effect of simultaneous repair of cleft lip and cleft hard palate with vomer flap in unilateral complete cleft lip and palate patients (UCLP). This prospective study was carried out in 30 patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate who under-went simultaneous repair of cleft lip and hard palate by vomer flap. After 6 months, cleft soft palate was repaired. During 1st and 2nd operations, the alveolar gap, the gap at the posterior border of the cleft hard palate and the gap at the base of the uvula were measured. Postoperative complications, requirement of blood transfusion, infection, fistula formation, wound dehiscence and duration of operations were also recorded. Simultaneous repairs of cleft lip and closure of cleft hard palate with vomer flaps are easy to perform, safe and effective procedure in UCLP patients. No blood transfusion was needed. Alveolar cleft gaps, gaps at the posterior border of hard palate and uvular gaps were reduced remarkably, which made the closure of the soft palate easier with decreased operation time, dissection and also decreased oronasal fistula formation.

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