Effectiveness of Buccal Fat in Closing Residual Midpalatal and Posterior Palatal Fistulas in Patients Previously Treated for Clefts

PurposeThe present retrospective study assessed the outcome and effectiveness of the buccal fat pad flap for closure of postoperative midpalatal fistulas and fistulas of the posterior palate in patients previously treated for cleft palate.Patients and MethodsThe charts of 29 patients with residual midpalatal and posterior palatal fistulas treated using buccal fat pad flaps were assessed. Of the 29 patients, 18 were males and 11 were females, aged 2.5 to 19 years. The fistula size was 10 to 20 mm.ResultsFull epithelialization of the flap had occurred within 4 weeks in all 29 patients. The fistulas had completely closed in 28 patients. In 1 patient, a 2-mm defect was noted in the anterior part of the fistula repair that had healed after 2 months without intervention.ConclusionThe buccal fat pad flap can be used to repair any remaining postoperative palatal fistulas that are 10 to 20 mm in size.