[A method of unilateral operation for early cleft palate repair].

Objective: This paper presents a new method for cleft palate repair.

Method: Six changes have been made to the conventional procedures. After all of these six changes have been carried out on one side of the palate, the operated side becomes completely relaxed. It can be moved both posteriorly and medially to lengthen the side of the palate and to contact with the cleft margin of the non-operated side without tension. Obviously, there is no need to perform the same surgical maneuvers on the other side again. The cleft is then closed by layers.

Result: Totally 151 cases of unilateral and bilateral cleft palate have been repaired with this method. The age of these patients ranged from 4 months to 5 years. Postoperatively, there was neither one death nor one dehiscence. All of the baby patients who received treatment before they began to speak had good quality of speech or near normal speech function.

Conclusion: In the unilateral operation, the surgical trauma, blood loss and time required for the operation are all less than that of conventional procedures which operate on both sides. It is a safer method for early cleft palate repair.