Closure of Oronasal Fistulae Post Palatoraphy with Tongue Flap in Bilateral Complete Cleft Lip Palate Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Oronasal fistulae are common complication following palatoraphy. There are several surgical procedures to repair oronasal fistulae. However, conventional oronasal fistulae closure technique is not always possible, especially when the surrounding tissue is replaced by fibrotic tissue due to previous palatoraphy. Tissue defects in oronasal fistulae should be replaced with tissues providing good vascularisation such as pedicle tongue flap. A case of pedicle tongue flap used to close oronasal fistulae was reported. Eleven-year-old girl, presented with oronasal fistulae and bilateral alveolar cleft after previous palatoraphy. The oronasal fistulae were closed with pedicled tongue flap. The healing was uneventful, and the division of the pedicle tongue flap was done three weeks later and closed primarily. There was no dehiscence of the wound and masticatory functions were recorded. Vascularised flap such as pedicle tongue flap is a preferred technique to close oronasal fistulae after palatoraphy.