[Functional and aesthetic significance of the uvula in cleft palate repair].

Objective: To investigate functional and aesthetic role of uvula in cleft palate repair.

Materials and methods: Forty-one patients aged from 1 year 2 months to 7 years were included in this study with congenital cleft lip and/or palate. The morphological investigation of the resected hemi- uvula was done. Palatoplasty was performed in all cases.

Results: According to morphological results, most of the resected hemi-uvula consisted of vascularized fibrous tissue, covered with epithelium. In three groups of patients (with unilateral, bilateral and isolated cleft palate), the duration of the surgery and intraoperative blood loss did not exceed similar values for conventional methods. The volume of infusion therapy revealed a deficit of fluid intake of no more than 30%, which indicates early restoration of swallowing function.

Conclusion: The technique of preserving one of the «hemi-uvulas» lead to excellent aesthetic results and increasing functionality. Resection of one of the «hemi-uvulas» is safe and physiological.